IW BAP: Health

Find out more

Sick people may recover more rapidly if they have a ‘natural’ view. Walking in the countryside helps mental as well as physical health – does a wider view help us have a sense of perspective?

External links
BTCV Green Gym
IW Health Walks
Wight Walks
Adopt-a-Garden

Find out why 'Nature is good for you' – it's a prescription for good health, long life and fun. Physical inactivity has serious effects on human health, and outdoor activities particularly walking, offer a cheap and accessible way to better health for all. Time spent in natural surroundings is known to promote a positive outlook on life and enhance our ability to cope with and recover from stress, illness and injury. Wildlife rich natural environments with inspiring landscapes are most effective in promoting sociable walking and a healthier lifestyle.

Volunteers

Be active with a conservation task
A national scheme working on the Isle of Wight since 2003, the BTCV Green Gym offers people a new way of becoming healthier by taking part in nature conservation activities. There is a comprehensive programme covering all areas of the Island, with activities taking place weekly. Tasks vary from pond clearing and butterfly habitat management to felling trees and helping school children make bird boxes.

Enjoy healthy walks
Health walks encourage physical exercise and are led by fully trained local people. They are established in Freshwater, Lake, Cowes and Ryde. The walks are very popular with up to 100 participants each week. Two leaflets have been produced to encourage walking, one for pushchair friendly walks of up to three miles in the West Wight and a circular short walk in the Ryde area. To find out more turn up to one of the walks or contact Louise Gray 01983 823812.

Additionally the Wight Summer and Wight Winter walks leaflets cover health walks and many others. These regular general publications are put together by the Isle of Wight Council’s Countryside Section with the assistance of many local groups and organisations, who introduce people to the environment on their doorstep through guided walks and talks.

Grow your own food
Growing your own fruits and vegetables in your garden or allotment provides healthy exercise and nourishing, tasty, fresh food. See Incredible Edible Wight.