Walk and Wheel Gateshead
Walking and cycling can make you feel better, physically and mentally. It's also good for the environment and your local community.
However, we understand that it's not always easy to walk or ride a bike, even for short distances. We know that lots of people don't feel fit enough or confident enough. For some people, it's simply not practical or they don't know where to start.
Walk and Wheel Gateshead can help. We support people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities, including wheelchair users. Our friendly team works with people to understand how they're feeling and how we can help them take the first steps towards a more active lifestyle. The team will learn from the people they support so that we can ultimately make walking and cycling easier for everyone in Gateshead.
Social prescribing
Walk and Wheel Gateshead is a social prescribing project. When we think about prescribing, most people think of tablets and other medication. However, health and wellbeing are affected by lots of factors, including money, housing, relationships and loneliness. There aren't any tablets that can treat issues like these, but there are other types of support available.
Social prescribing involves referring people to services and activities in their community that can help them feel better. This also means that GPs can focus more of their time on treating medical problems.
How to get involved
We are working with social prescribers, also known as community link workers, from Edberts House to identify people in the East, Central South and Birtley areas of Gateshead who may benefit from free help to get active.
We will work with each person taking part in the programme to decide on what is right for them, but our support may include:
- assisted walking and cycling programmes designed to improve your fitness and confidence
- safe walking and cycling routes in your area
- guided one to one and group walks and bike rides
- cycling sessions for beginners with equipment provided
If you would like to find out more, ask your GP practice to put you in touch with a community link worker.
Walk and Wheel Gateshead is a pilot programme funded by Active Travel England.