Cairngorm Leader - Cairngorms Local Action Group

• Support existing groups in Braemar, Ballater, Logie Coldstone, Tarland and Aboyne
• Develop a group in Torphins
• Complete an Upper Deeside WTH booklet with NHS Grampian Health Promotions
• Continue to support volunteers with training, equipment, First Aid Courses and personal support to continue the programme of led walks
• Promote Independent Walking, Next Step and Nordic Walking initiatives
• Develop a management group of Health professionals, volunteer Walk Leaders and walkers to manage the Project beyond the funding stage
• Produce a Project Newsletter in conjunction with the local groups, as an aid to evaluation, progress reporting and marketing.

Patients will be referred from clinicians and other targeted adults will be encouraged to take part in a walking to health scheme, led by volunteers trained by the initiative. The walking activity, which will utilise the natural heritage of Upper Deeside, will be geared towards participants recovering from illness, stroke, operations or as an additional treatment for obesity and blood pressure and will form part of their agreed individual recovery or general health improvement plan.

The long term aim of the Project in co-ordination with CNPA & LEADER+ is to extend this scheme throughout the National Park area. Time has been built into the project to allow liaison with other schemes in other areas, to create an overall healthy walking scheme related to the Park.