Lack of funding bring change for walking groups

Five healthy walking groups in Lochaber are among a number across the Highlands which have lost support from their Inverness-based parent charity due to a lack of funding, it has been confirmed.

Running for 15 years, the Partnerships for Wellbeing (P4W) oversees the P4W Walk network, previously known as the Step It Up Highland walking programme.

The groups have encouraged people to walk for health and mental wellbeing benefits in Ballachulish (two groups), Fort William, Caol and Spean Bridge.

But P4W says, in common with many small third sector organisations, it is facing funding challenges.

Lynne Bannister has been the charity’s co-ordinator of its health walks service since 2011 and told the Lochaber Times: ‘While putting a lot of energy into seeking new funding sources we have needed to review the service we provide.

‘We have a very small staff, all part-time, and have been supporting 34 walking groups covering the Highlands from Wick to Fort William and Poolewe to Tomatin. We can no longer offer the service to so many groups over such a wide area.

‘This has been a very difficult decision. We are advising those groups we cannot support that they may choose to be completely independent or explore links with local community groups.

‘We can offer affiliated status with P4W which would enable access to initial walk leader training and occasional ongoing training as well as publicity in our directory and website.’

And she added that all the affected groups have been offered the chance to remain linked to the Scottish Health Walk Network.

And the charity’s board chair Pam Courcha added: ‘We are extremely proud of and grateful for the large number of volunteer walk leaders who have given freely of their time to support the walks.

‘We are very sorry we have had to make this decision but a number of groups are now well established in their local areas with excellent reputations and we are confident that they will continue to offer health walks.’

Geraldine Critchell, from P4W’s Fort William walking group – one of the groups affected by the changes – said that, while the decision was ‘disappointing’, the popular group was continuing.

‘We have decided to keep our weekly walks going. We have three weekly walks for different abilities and they have proved very popular, each one averaging between 25 and 30 walkers.

‘We will not be disbanding, but will continue as a solo group. As well as the walks, we enjoy socialising together afterwards and it means that as well as the health benefits from taking part there are mental wellbeing benefits as well.’