A series of wellbeing walks in Aberystwyth were launched at the start of the month by the town’s mayor.

Three Welsh health boards have worked with the Greener Aberystwyth Group to produce a series of leaflets outlining a variety of walks in nature in the town, to “raise awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of walking outdoors in nature”.

Rural Health and Care Wales, comprising of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board, and Betsi Cadwalladr University Health Board, has produced the four leaflets, each outlining many walks from three doctors surgeries, Church, Ystwyth, and Padarn Surgery, as well as Bronglais Hospital.

The level of difficulty of each walk is noted on the leaflets, which have been funded by the Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations (CAVO), along with anticipated time to complete the walk and reference to wildlife and historical links that can be viewed along the routes.

The aim of the leaflets is to raise awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of walking outdoors in nature. Listening to birdsongs and observing animals in nature has been shown to improve wellbeing and reduce stress; the natural aromas from woods and plants have proven calming effects.

Five minutes of walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem and relaxation, with research showing that physical activity in green spaces can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels by up to 15%. Walking in pairs or groups also has social benefits.

The official launch of the Wellbeing Walks in Aberystwyth was conducted by the Mayor Councillor Alun Williams, at 11am on Wednesday, 8 December 2021. The launch took place at Aberystwyth University’s new Healthcare Education Centre, which is located alongside Padarn surgery on Penglais Hill.

Cllr Williams said: “As a County Councillor, I have been involved for some time in promoting what is often referred to as the “prevention agenda”, encouraging people of all ages to develop a core level of health and fitness, including mental health, and doing this by using the natural environment and the help available from the local communities to reduce the need for intervention from the formal health and social care services who are under such pressure at the moment.

“Evidence has shown that people who regularly get out into nature, even for a short time, and who maintain a reasonable level of fitness for their age, live longer and healthier. I have also been involved with the Greener Aberystwyth Group for many years and am aware of the wonderful work they do locally.

“It is hard to walk anywhere in Aberystwyth without passing a part of our green infrastructure that they have not been involved with.”

The leaflets can be accessed on-line on the Greener Aberystwyth Group website www.aber-gag.org.uk or printed versions can be found at the Tourist Information Centre, or Ceredigion Museum, Bronglais Hospital’s Outpatients department or at any of the GP surgeries involved.