Ian Findlay previews Paths For All's involvement at The Gathering this year, with an aim of helping voluntary sector staff become more active

Paths for All is Scotland’s walking charity. We are at the Gathering this year to champion walking as the way to a happier, healthier Scotland.

We have a long association with The Gathering and are delighted to be partnering with SCVO to make 2020 the most active, healthy Gathering yet!

Paths for All is hosting a walking challenge together with SCVO, leading a group walk each lunchtime, and our team are here to talk about walking at our exhibition stand. So please take part or stroll over and say hi.

Paths for All is proud to be part of Scotland’s vibrant third sector, which we know makes a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of our people, communities, environment and economy. Many of our projects rely on volunteers to guide health walks, work on local paths, promote and champion walking in their daily lives.

We believe our sector can lead the way in innovative approaches to tackle Scotland’s big challenges like climate change and public health.

We are here to influence Scotland’s charities to value walking as the easiest way for most people to gain the many physical, social and mental health benefits of an active lifestyle. Walking is the most accessible form of physical activity and can impact pressing issues such as inactivity, obesity, loneliness and help to reduce health inequalities.

This year, as we face the climate emergency, Paths for All is highlighting how walking, cycling and sustainable travel can significantly reduce environmental impact of transport.

At Paths for All, we also recognise that the third sector is a big employer. We want to see the people working in this sector to thrive, living active lives themselves. We can help with resources, challenges and workplace awards, to help you champion walking for staff and volunteer wellness.

So please do come and talk to us. Here’s just some of the things we’d love to talk to you about: Getting your organisation more active with walking challenges and our Walk at Work Award; Supporting others to benefit from walking: find out about our health walks – there’s over 670 group walks each week, led by volunteers that support everyone to get walking; Advice and support to help communities improve local paths; Our work to promote walking and cycling (active travel) and sustainable transport; Our funding for walking, path development and active travel projects.

There has never been a more pressing time to take this most simple of actions – walking – to our hearts and see where it can make improvements to our organisations, lives, and that of others. We look forward to talking to our third sector contemporaries at The Gathering, hearing about your priorities and attending some thought provoking events.

Ian Findlay is chief officer at Paths for All, who can be found at stand 28 at The Gathering.