Paths for All: Dementia Friendly Walking Project
- Written by: Carl Greenwood — Paths for All — Senior Development Officer
- Published: 15th December 2017
Carl Greenwood, Senior Development Officer at Paths for All, introduces the network of Walking for Health projects across Scotland.
Paths for All (This link will take you away from our website) supports a network of Walking for Health projects that organise free, short, local, volunteer led walks that are inclusive and welcoming.
With funding from Life Changes Trust (This link will take you away from our website) we have been working with the Walking for Health network to make our walks more accessible to people living with dementia.
Being physically active brings many health and wellbeing benefits for us all. Walking is a relatively simple way for people to meet the 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week that the government recommends (This link will take you away from our website). It’s free, requires no special equipment and is safe and low risk. A group walk can also be a place to meet new people and reduce the risk of social isolation and loneliness. It’s also an opportunity to get outdoors, and as one walker told us ‘get fresh air in your lungs’.
And yet through the published research and our own consultation, we know there are still lots of barriers faced by people with dementia when accessing the outdoors and activities like our walking groups.
That’s why we have created a Dementia Friendly Walking accreditation for our walking projects. This framework was developed with input from people with dementia, carers and other stakeholders and creates a benchmark to measure change and success. Paths for All has supported this process with small grants, Dementia Friendly Walk Leader training, development officer time, resources and networking opportunities.
With 23 projects working towards the Dementia Friendly Walking accreditation, over 350 dementia friendly walk leaders trained and more than 130 dementia friendly health walks across Scotland we are beginning to see positive changes and outcomes.
We asked a team of researchers from the University of Stirling to look at what people valued about their walking group and the following themes came out:
- Being with other people Walking groups give people with dementia opportunities to socialise with other people, in a safe and comfortable environment.
- Being outdoors Walking groups give people the opportunity to access the outdoors and a safe and secure environment.
- Ethos and atmosphere Attending walking groups enabled people with dementia to demonstrate what they could still do, rather than the problems they faced due to their condition.
- Feeling secure Walks improved people’s confidence as they were able to participate, but also knew that help would be available if required.
- Leadership and organisation The role of walk leaders was essential to the running of groups, organising and facilitating walks and supporting walkers.
But perhaps what matters most is the individual experiences of the walkers themselves and the connections they make on the walks. By getting out in their community they are proving that it is possible to live well with dementia and enjoy a full and active life. This is illustrated perfectly by Janet a volunteer and walker with a group in Ayrshire:
“The group is very relaxed and you can talk about anything with others offering support and information when required I have always found the group to be very supportive especially now as I have recently been diagnosed with early onset dementia.
“I don’t have any concerns walking with the group as they are just like family and I know the group will continue to make the walks fun enjoyable and safe even if my condition worsens. I am confident that the walking group would inform me if specific walks were not suitable for me to attend and alternative walks would be advised.
“I really enjoy everyone’s company, all the different topics of conversation that you get involved in during the walk and sometimes we even hear a few good jokes on the way. I prefer when we are walking in the countryside where it’s nice and quiet, you feel really close to nature looking at all the animals, plants, trees and scenery, what more could you ask for.”
You can search for your local dementia friendly walk using the Google Map below or you can get in touch with us at dementiafriendly@pathsforall.org.uk or call 01259 230 152. There is also more information on our website https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/pfa/health-walks/dementia-friendly-walking.html
End of page.
You may also like:
Isabella Goldie of Deafblind Scotland reflects on the value of partnership work.
Continue readingFind out more about the inaugural Power of Attorney Day taking place on 22 April 2026.
Continue readingDr Hannah Tweed reflects on 20 years of the Scottish Sensory Hub, the important work they do and why it matters.
Continue readingAs part of our 20 year anniversary, Kerry shares her reflections on how far the ALLIANCE has come, our achievements, and our impact.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on 20 years since Scotland moved to put children at the centre of policy.
Continue readingCancer care in Scotland is at a critical moment. Macmillan is calling for urgent action ahead of the parliamentary elections in May
Continue readingMhairi Campbell reflects on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) not being recognised as having a severe impact on life.
Continue readingLucy Mulvagh shares how she used the Centre for Public Policy Practice Fellowship to examine prevention and its barriers to implementation
Continue readingLaura from Perth and Kinross HSCP shares how we can celebrate World Social Work Day through the lens of 'What Matters To You?'.
Continue readingReflections on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education) Bill
Continue readingLouise Hall from Pain Association Scotland reflects on the event she delivered as part of Self Management Week 2025.
Continue readingAct Now for Autistic Rights calls for a transformative Bill for autistic and neurodiverse communities
Continue readingIn the next decade, the role of digital in health and social care must embed our digital human rights principles to reduce inequalities.
Continue readingRead some reflections from ALLIANCE colleagues, who had the opportunity to sponsor and attend Scotland's Annual Human Rights Conference.
Continue reading“Our Collective Voice” is a hopeful vision for the next five years, and I encourage ALLIANCE members to bring it into their own campaigns.
Continue readingBy standing together, we can help ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to the compassionate, high quality palliative care.
Continue readingALLIANCE Scottish Sensory Hub Manager Dr Hannah Tweed reflects on the launch of the BSL network for public bodies.
Continue readingSimone Janse van Rensburg reflects on the impact of their Women Living Well event which featured as part of Self Management Week 2025.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingWellbeing Scotland’s Chief Clinical Officer Ashleigh Ronald highlights why we must shift stigmatising narratives around child abuse.
Continue readingAs we mark twenty years of the ALLIANCE, Person Centred Voices continues to show the power of listening, kindness and connection.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue reading