Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Explore dear green places

- GREGOR FARQUHARSO­N

People across Monklands are being encouraged to explore their local greenspace this week.

Green Health Week runs until Sunday and NHS Lanarkshir­e and Get Outdoors Lanarkshir­e have joined forces to make spending time outdoors even easier.

They have teamed up with the walking app Go Jauntly, which is available on iphone and Android, and helps people in Monklands explore some of their favourite local walks.

The app, which is free, promotes walking for leisure and nature connection and is an ideal way to discover new local walks created by the people who know and love them.

The aim of Green Health Week is to encourage people to embrace the health benefits of spending time outdoors.

Vicki Trim, senior health improvemen­t manager, NHS Lanarkshir­e, said: “Research shows that spending time outdoors plays an important role in improving our overall mental health and wellbeing.

“Green Health Week is a fantastic opportunit­y to explore the outdoors and the Go Jauntly app provides over 10 Lanarkshir­e routes recommende­d by walkers.

“We have also been reviewing local walks beside our hospitals to support able patients, visitors and our staff to experience a boost to their physical, emotional and mental health.

“The health benefits of spending time in nature are known to help relieve stress, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve sleep.

“We’re thrilled to offer a free resource which can connect people to nature more easily.

“People can find new routes and add their favourite strolls to the app for others to enjoy – the more the merrier.”

Hana Sutch, CEO of Go Jauntly, added:“here at Go Jauntly we’ve been dreaming of escaping to Scotland; for a walk, for a holiday, maybe even forever. So, on this note, we made it our mission to launch new walks across this beautiful country.

“Alongside some new walks in East Lothian, we’re pleased to share that as a result of our partnershi­p with Get Outdoors Lanarkshir­e, we’ve got an incredible selection of walks across Lanarkshir­e too.”

Go to www.gojauntly. com/download-1 or search“go Jauntly”in your App Store or Google Play to download the app.

 ?? ?? Out and about The app
Out and about The app

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom