PHOTO CREDIT: Dominic Caton

Exeter-based Nordic Walking instructor, Sue Holden is offering free training sessions together with a set of poles on loan for residents of Cranbrook. The courses in this accessible form of walking are being funded by ‘Move More Cranbrook’ grants scheme, supported by Live & Move.

A qualified INWA Nordic Walking Instructor through British Nordic Walking, Sue started her business ‘Exe Nordic Walking’ in 2020.  She organises training courses and small group walks using local open spaces and parks across Exeter and Cranbrook, as well as at Powderham Castle and Exmouth beach, for people of all ages and abilities.

Sue Holden says: “I wanted to start a community of walkers and am delighted to have received funding to enable the residents of Cranbrook to experience this amazing opportunity to get physically fitter while also looking after their mental and social wellbeing for free! Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience, to work your upper body as well as your legs; the technique is similar to the upper body action of classic cross-country skiing. It’s an outdoor exercise that can be enjoyed in nature’s gym at many levels – low, medium, or high intensity, all year round, and using the poles means you can walk further for longer taking the pressure off the hip and knee joints.  A fun and social activity that can be enjoyed in town centres or open countryside, Nordic Walking gives you a highly effective all-over workout that doesn’t feel like one!”

Sue has teamed up with ‘Move More Cranbrook’, a group of many different organisations, and community members working to increase well-being for all of Cranbrook. The group says: “We are focused on sharing ideas, expertise, and resources to create and fund projects that support people to live more active lives. We’re dedicated to collaboration, making the changes that really make a difference, and letting the community lead us in how to move more for Cranbrook.”

Previous participants for the ‘Move More Cranbrook’ grants scheme include people wanting to be more physically active or returning to physical activity; keen walkers who want to get more from the whole-body workout that Nordic Walking provides, or runners who have suffered injuries and looking to work on their upper bodies.  Sue explains: “The benefits are extensive and include gaining a better posture; feeling stronger; reduced back pain; sleeping better, and a positive change in body shape as well as connecting to nature which improves mental health. It also brings together the Cranbrook community which helps to create new friendships and social circles, so it’s a ‘win:win’.”

Matt Rowett, local resident, and leader of the Cranbrook Running Club is chair of Move More Cranbrook. He tells us: “We have set up a number of grants up to £3k for Cranbrook and this provides people, like Sue, with the support to realise an idea that can increase people’s opportunities to be physically active. The grant has been awarded to build a community of walkers in the area and provide free poles throughout the programme.

Matt adds: “Well-being is so important, and this sort of project helps build friendship groups with like-minded people in a safe environment, where people can be socially active, and look after their physical and mental health.  Move More Cranbrook is keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in applying for a grant to get their own active project off the ground.”

Sue concludes: “Moving more in our everyday life is one of the best medicines we have, for our bodies and our minds. Anything we can do to increase our heart and breathing rates, even just a little, every day is so good for us in the long run.”

To find out more about Move More Cranbrook, follow us on Facebook @MoveMoreCranbrook or email cranbrook@liveandmove.co.uk.

More information about Exe Nordic Walking https://britishnordicwalking.org.uk/pages/sue-holden or if you are interested in funded Autumn Workshops at Cranbrook E: exenordicwalking@gmail.com

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