Neighbourhood Walk and Talk
The VICFITNeighbourhood Walk & Talk program is a low cost, self help program that encourages participation in regular activity. Of significance also is that it primarily promotes participation in one of the most accessible forms of exercise, walking, along with other appropriate activity. In addition it introduces a support structure for participants to foster continued involvement.
The Walk & Talk concept was conceived by VICFIT in 1995 as a simple, no frills, self help model for older people in particular. Its key element is the empowerment and recruitment of people to function as ‘Walking Guides’ in local communities to encourage friends and neighbours to participate with them in regular physical activity, usually walking.
The Walk & Talk program is great for community health services, neighbourhood houses, Senior Citizens Clubs, Retirement Villages, Support Groups, shopping centres and a whole host of other community groups who want to start a walking group, and/or provide an extra service to their clients/members. It is also a key support for other VICFIT programs particularly the Active Script Program.
There are approximately 90 current Walk & Talk programs in Victoria, involving over 3000 walkers. The average number of days each group walks is 3 days per week, with walks varying between 30-60 minutes. Many members also walk individually on the other days of the week.
Roles and Responsibilities
VICFIT: To support and resource local coordinators, and to oversee the program
LOCAL COORDINATORS: To promote the Walk & Talk program in local area, to recruit Walking Guides, to be the contact person, to report back to VICFIT, to record appropriate data for evaluation.
WALKING GUIDES: To encourage others to be involved, to fill out calendars, including how often and how many people are walking, to provide this information to local coordinators as required, to provide feedback to local coordinators, and to recruit walkers
WALKERS: are provided with resources, such as booklets, calenders, motivational incentives, newsletters and connection to walkers all over Victoria.
CONTACT : Project Officer
VICFIT
Ph 8320 1000
Physical Activity Infoline
The VICFIT Physical Activity Infoline has provided a telephone based service since 1995 providing information, counselling, exercise programming and referral services to Victorians wanting to develop or maintain a more active lifestyle. It also provides information assistance and resources to many different organisations involved in sport recreation and physical activity.
Sport and Recreation provide funding for the delivery and development of the Infoline service. Infoline is staffed by and Human Movement graduate, 9.00 am –5.00pm Monday to Friday. The service including the telephone call is free to all Victorians.
A database of over 1500 physical activity organisations and service providers is maintained and forms the basis of the referral and Information service. A website supports the provision of information
Infoline is able to assist members of the community, general practitioners, allied health professionals, primary care partnerships, key health organisations, or the fitness industry in the provision of resources or information, by posting information on the data base and website, or directly advising on physical activity opportunities. It is a key support for other VICFIT programs particularly Walk and Talk and Active Script Program. Calls are welcomed from both rural and metropolitan Victoria.
CONTACT:Rachel Whiffen
Information Officer
VICFIT
Ph 1800 638594