The Rural Health and Care Wales Wellbeing Walks Initiative

Purpose This case study sets out to highlight the challenges, lessons learnt and the ongoing relevance of the Rural Health and Care Wales (RHCW) Wellbeing Walks initiative, which was originally launched in 2021 responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to access, protect and maintain outdoor spaces. This intervention focusses on the empowerment of staff, patients and visitors at established health settings, to take steps to fortify their own health and well-being through walking in the natural environment for short breaks, longer walks and rambles. Design/methodology/approach Work around the well-being walks includes an international literature review and partnership working with collaborators within the Mid Wales region. Findings This case study highlights to outcomes of the work undertaken. Research limitations/implications The article also addresses areas of the research work that have not fulfilled expectations in terms of feedback and evaluation and seeks to raise for discussion options with which this research shortfall can be rectified. Practical implications The well-being walks series addresses established social determinants of health and aligns to the core principles of integrated care through their collaborative development. They offer cost effective and inclusive exercise opportunities, encourage active travel and wider lifestyle changes to positively impact on modifiable health risk factors as Guthold et al. (2018) inferred including obesity, social isolation and low levels of physical activity. O'Hara (2021) evidences that walking, particularly in nature, has the potential to aid the management of long-term conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Social implications Additionally, the RHCW Wellbeing Walks have the potential to connect families in times of health emergencies, create social networks and establish regular social activity whilst enabling an appreciation of the natural environment to support mental and emotional well-being. Originality/value The article also refers to the ongoing rise in health-related careers linked to the green agenda as well as the ongoing commitment and support for the practical implementation of the initiative across Mid Wales.