Cathy Fort a WALX Master offers community walking services that connect people to nature, movement, and community. She works with individuals to improve their well-being using the beautiful local landscapes, including the serene grounds of Attingham Park and other beautiful spots across the region.
Community Walx?
Community Walx are about finding non-medical ways to improve health and happiness. It recognizes that sometimes the best medicine isn’t a pill but a walk in nature, a supportive community, or the chance to try something new, and can include Yoga or Pilates. Whether it’s managing stress, reducing loneliness, or supporting physical health, social prescribing connects people with activities and experiences that nourish both body and mind.
The Benefits
Community Walx transform how participants feel, physically and emotionally:
- Boosts Mental Health: Time in nature has been shown to lower stress levels, improve mood, and combat anxiety and depression.
- Improves Physical Fitness: Gentle but effective exercise helps them stay active without strain.
- Reduces Isolation: Participants meet like-minded people and build meaningful connections in a welcoming environment.
- Enhances Quality of Life: They also discover new hobbies, explore the outdoors, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment.
How Cathy Helps………..
In Shropshire, she is spoiled for choice with breathtaking scenery and fantastic community resources. Through Walx, she offers sessions that include:
- Total body Walking : A full-body workout that’s gentle on joints, making it ideal for beginners and those managing chronic pain or mobility issues.
- Wellness Walks: Guided walks in picturesque areas like Attingham Park, combining the calming power of nature with light exercise.
- Social Walks: Build new friendships while exploring the Shropshire countryside.
These activities are more than just walks—they’re opportunities to reset, recharge, and reconnect with both nature and other people.
She also offer courses for people who have a medical, physical, or mental health conditions and are struggling to maintain their fitness. These are six-to-eight-week courses that offer A Power of Poles Introduction ( using Total body walking Poles ) combined with Light intensity, Steady, State ( Liss) range of exercises that help maintain functional movement, improve strength, flexibility, balance, breath work and relaxation techniques.
She works with other organisations and GPs in the area to signpost people who need some support to get active and has seen good retention of participants who came form social prescribers but now join her regularly
Cathy says “We have found participants gain confidence and fitness and a sense of belonging by the end of the course and are then encouraged to join are other activities and walks we deliver at the level where they can maintain their fitness, in a safe and friendly environment.”
