Walk and Wheel Gateshead
Walk and Wheel Gateshead is a new programme to help people in Gateshead get moving.
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.
Health walks
Join us for a short walk around the local community and explore what is on your doorstep.
There will be plenty of support available, tailored to your level of fitness and confidence. Adults of all fitness levels and abilities are welcome.
Our current health walks are running from:
| Wellbeing Walks | Start and finish at | Time |
Happy Mondays Wellbeing Walk's 1st Monday of the month | Old Town Hall West Street, Gateshead NE8 1HE | 1 to 2.30pm |
Happy Mondays Wellbeing Walk's 2nd Monday of the month | Low Fell Library 710 Durham Road, Low Fell NE9 6HT | 1 to 2.30pm |
Happy Mondays Wellbeing Walk's 3rd Monday of the month | Leam Lane Library (Fewster Square entrance downstairs) | 1 to 2.30pm |
Happy Mondays Wellbeing Walk's 4th Monday of the month | Shipley Art Gallery Prince Consort Road, NE8 4JB | 1 to 2.30pm |
Pelaw Library Wellbeing Walking Group Monday, Weekly | Pelaw Library Joicey Street, Pelaw | 11 to 11.20am (short walk) 12 to 1pm (longer walk) |
Birtley Wellbeing Walk Starts Wednesday 8 January, Weekly | Birtley Community Hall Harras Bank, DH3 2LN | 1 to 1.45pm |
Comfrey Project Wellbeing Walk Wednesday, Weekly | Comfrey Project Chester Place, Bensham, Gateshead | 2 to 3.30pm |
Deckham Family HUB Wellbeing Walk Starts Thursday 16 January, Weekly | The Elgin Centre, NE9 5PA | 12 to 12.45pm |
Wrekenton Wellbeing Walk Thursday, Weekly | Wrekenton Family Hub Wrekenton NE9 7AN | 1 to 3pm |
There is no need to book on to our walking groups, just turn up on the day
Cycling
Improve your health and wellbeing through cycling with the Walk and Wheel Team.
| Cycling sessions | Start and finish at | Time |
Learn to Ride session Tuesday, Weekly | Gateshead International Stadium Neilson Road NE10 0EF | 10am to 12pm |
Community Cycle Ride Tuesday, Weekly | Gateshead International Stadium Neilson Road NE10 OEF | 1 to 3pm |
Community Cycle Ride Wednesday, Weekly | Leam Lane Library (Fewster Square entrance downstairs) | 10.15 to 11.30am |
Know your bike* Wednesday, Weekly | Leam Lane Library (Fewster Square entrance downstairs) | 12 to 1pm |
* Join the team for a cuppa after the ride or just pop along with any bike queries you have and the team can help and advise.
Free bike and helmet hire is available for all cycling sessions.
To book your free place, email activetravel@gateshead.gov.uk or telephone 0191 433 3200.
Please leave a message if a team member isn't available to speak to you straight away and the team will call back as soon as possible.
Walk and Wheel Gateshead is a pilot programme funded by Active Travel England.