It's been tough for all of us to get out and stay active during lockdown, but something as simple as getting out for a walk could really help to improve your physical and mental health.
As we launch our campaign to #GetDoncasterMoving, we will be sharing the stories of local residents who like to walk in their local areas. We start with Doncaster resident David, who talks about how walking has made a real difference to his wellbeing – and how Doncaster offers lots of green spaces to get out and get active.
Discover places to walk in your area
If you're looking to try out a new local walk, visit the "Where can you walk?" page for some inspiration. Of course, you don't need to plan ahead, you can simply explore your local area from your doorstep and see what you can find - you might be surprised!
Current walking guidance
According to government guidance you may continue to walk outdoors with the people you live with, your support bubble, or one person from another household. Walkers in England should however be mindful of different restrictions in other nations and not travel to Scotland and Wales.
Below are our top tips to walk safely:
Plan Ahead
Some of our local parks, woodlands, and nature sites have started to become very busy, making it harder for people to keep a safe distance. Some of our sites still have restricted access to facilities such as public toilets, car parks, and shops, so please check before you set off that you have everything you need.
Walk From Home
Please think about walking from your doorstep and exploring local routes as much as possible.
Staying local helps to:
- Make social distancing easier for everybody's safety
- Keep local footpaths in a good condition by treading down overgrowth
- Reduce the number of cars on our roads so accidents are less likely and our air quality is better
- Keep communities connected by smiling at familiar faces from a distance, which can help others feel less lonely.
- To find local routes near you, please go to our Where can you walk page.
Try different times
Some areas are very busy during the daytime, especially from 10am – 4pm. Walking early in the morning, or taking a stroll to enjoy the lighter evenings may be quieter.
"Leave Only Footprints and Take Only Memories"
Please respect our green spaces and local streets by picking up after yourself and your pets. We kindly ask that everybody follows the Green Cross Code and respects our environment.
Remember, if a place feels too busy, it is too busy. Keep yourself and others safe, return home.
Being active at home
We know walking outside isn't always an option for everybody, and the weather can often put us off, but that doesn't mean we have to stop moving – even pottering around the house, or moving our feet to music for a few minutes a day can help us stay active. Visit our Being active at home page for more ideas and resources.