Walk right up and sit right down – Tameside Council is issuing an open invitation for older people to join in with the launch of their new 'Couch to Out and About' health initiative which comes complete with age-friendly benches.

Five have been placed around Stalybridge to give residents a place to rest and enjoy a socially-distanced chat as they take a walk.

Residents are invited to join a walk on Tuesday, June 29, to take in three of the benches when there will be free coffee too.

The walk starts from the Park Street entrance to Cheetham Park (near the New Stalybridge Labour Club) at 10am, moving on to the fire station, Rassbottom Street, for around 11.15am, and finishing outside the Baptist church on Ambleside, at 12.30pm.

To be Covid-safe, each age-friendly bench has a table in the middle to reduce the risk of people getting too close to each other.

Other benches can be found on Norman Road and at the entrance to Springs Lane off Darnton Road.

Cllr Eleanor Wills, Tameside’s executive member for population health, who will be taking part in the walk, said: “Walking is one of the best things we can do at any age when it comes to boosting our physical and mental well-being – and especially after a long and draining pandemic when it’s been so difficult to see friends and family and especially if you’re older.

“Research shows it can reduce symptoms of depression and help people feel less isolated. ‘Couch to Out and About’, which links the parks, canal, river and town centre in Stalybridge, provides a great means of doing this in a safe and friendly way with no pressure.

“I hope lots of residents will come along because I believe the project will be seen as a benchmark when it comes to getting older people moving again after 15 months of Covid restrictions.”

For information and maps visit https://www.tameside.gov.uk/walking or via the following pdf:

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