From April to September, a free programme of taster sessions, beginner courses and weekly instructed Nordic walks/refresher sessions in Stanmer Park, Brighton, are available for booking if you live in Sussex with a long-term health condition, i.e. you:

• have defined health risk factors or self-reported health problems, e.g. overweight, high blood pressure, back pain, stress, anxiety, mild to moderate depression, including if you are a carer or bereaved
• live with certain long-term/progressive conditions, e.g. asthma & other respiratory conditions, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis & fibromyalgia
• are recovering from medical treatment/rehabilitation, e.g. for cancer, heart disease, stroke and joint replacement & similar operations,

and you:

• want to give Nordic walking a try through a taster session
• are keen to learn to Nordic walk by doing a four session beginner course
• already Nordic walk but want to brush up your technique on a refresher session and then do it more regularly
• used to Nordic walk, haven’t done so for a while and now want to take it up again.

You can try Nordic walking out first through a taster session to help you decide whether or not you want to learn the technique OR you can simply book a place on a course straightaway.

Taster Sessions will take place from 2 to 3.30pm on Thursdays:

6 April 

25 May

1 June

8 June

27 July

3 August.

If Summer temperatures become too uncomfortable by the middle of the day, these sessions will be brought forward.

Please be aware that times & dates may change, so check this page first before contacting us.

Allocation of places

In order to allocate firm course places, participants must have a certain level of walking fitness and a clear understanding of what kind of exercise Nordic walking involves.

Walking fitness

Are you able to walk comfortably for half an hour at a brisk pace, i.e. to the extent that you are breathing harder, feeling warmer, perhaps starting to sweat, but still able to talk with the person at your side ?

Weather

Our policy is to postpone sessions if over 30mph wind with/without rain is forecast or ice/snow is covering our tracks. Another session will then be offered to try and ensure people don’t miss out.

Equipment

Specialist Nordic walking poles are provided for free on the course. They will then be available to buy at a subsidised price.