Walk Richmond: Legacy in Healthy Lifestyles and Lifelong Walking
Walk Richmond fills a need in the community by offering free weekly guided walks that explore Richmond.
About You
About You
First Name
Alexandra
Last Name
Gunn
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association
Organization Website
Organization Country
Canada, BC, Richmond
Country where this solution is creating social impact
Canada, BC, Richmond
Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Coast and Mountains.
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (your pilot is up and running, and starting to expand)
How long have you been in operation?
Operating for more than 5 years
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
According to Iposos Reid’s 2010 Recreation and Physical Fitness Syndicated Survey, 50% of Richmond residents participate in walking as their preferred form of physical activity. Only 3% of Richmond residents are driven to participate in physical activity by being outdoors. The survey also states that access and affordability play an important role for residents in becoming physically active. Richmond is the fourth largest city in B.C. with a population of almost 200,000. On top of that there an estimated 60,555 people who commute to Richmond to work. There are also thousands of students who travel to Richmond to study. The target audience of Walk Richmond are sedentary individuals/families, seniors, the vulnerable population and new immigrants.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Walk Richmond offers the public an opportunity to explore the health benefits of walking. Walk Richmond aims to encourage and support the walking population as well as to provide the less active population with opportunities to explore the benefits of walking. Walk Richmond provides individuals with an opportunity to participate in weekly drop-in guided walks at no cost. Walk Richmond aims to increase community awareness through exploring the trails, landmarks, and heritage sites throughout the city. Walk Richmond also supports volunteerism by providing volunteer opportunities. As part of our partnership with the Richmond School District for youth engagement, Walk Richmond facilitates walking workshops. Walk Richmond has also published a walking guide book with maps and details of the 21 walking trails in Richmond. To support the diverse community within Richmond, the walking guide book has also been translated to Chinese.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
The Walk Richmond program targets seniors, people with disabilities, youth, families, low income, and immigrants. For many individuals that participate in our weekly walks, this is their one opportunity to get outdoors, be active and socialize with others. Many have stated their gratitude for the program. They would not have made friends they have nor discovered the different areas of Richmond. Many do not have the confidence to go on walks on their own at the beginning. By coming to the weekly walks, their mental and physical health improve and their social network expands. As their health and confidence improve, they begin to become more active physically and in the community. Participants can then volunteer to start their own walking groups and encourage others to lead a healthy active lifestyle. We have participants and volunteers that have been with Walk Richmond since the beginning in 2007. Walk leaders are volunteers who go through rigorous training, including First Aid and CPR qualifications. These opportunities are funded through the RFWA to promote growth and development of its volunteers who dedicate their time to the initiative.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
There are a few indoor walking programs at the community centres and competitive walking programs for races. These programs only exist for a short period of time. What sets Walk Richmond apart is that we offer free drop-in guided walks throughout the year. Participants can go at their own pace. We go out and explore all parts of Richmond. On some walks we also offer talks about healthy lifestyles.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Social Impact
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
Founded in 1984, the Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association has a proud and accomplished history within the health and wellness sector in the City of Richmond. The RFWA was one of the first community associations to offer fitness classes in Richmond. In 2002, an independent review and extensive consultation was determined that the mandate of the Association would be better focused on supporting citywide health and wellness initiatives rather than offering classes. Between 2002 and 2007, the RFWA supported numerous fitness initiatives in the City of Richmond such as a Move for Health Day walk and wellness lecture series. In 2007, the RFWA became a sponsoring partner for Walk Richmond. Through Walk Richmond, RFWA seeks out new opportunities and work on filing other gaps with respect to health and fitness programming in the City of Richmond.
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
Walk Richmond is an initiative aimed at building a legacy of healthy lifestyles in Richmond by engaging people in lifelong walking. This project offers Richmond residents and workers the opportunity to take steps towards healthier living by changing behaviours and encouraging them to explore the benefits of walking and active living. Walk Richmond is also exploring ways to build capacity and develop community. Possible future projects include a website to acting as a meeting space for participants to organize their own walks, carpool, social gatherings and discussions.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
From 2010 to the beginning of June 2012, 2051 people have attended Walk Richmond's free weekly guided walks. Participants have improved their physical and mental health, expanded their social network and become more active in the community.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
The Walk Richmond program continues to grow and attracting more new walkers. If the number of participants continues to grow at the current rate, by the end of 2016, almost 6150 people would have attended a Walk Richmond walk. Walk Richmond is exploring ways to build capacity. As participants become more active, experienced and confident, they can lead form their own walking groups and lead walks.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Increased awareness of Walk Richmond
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Walk Richmond will promote itself at various community events
Task 2
Strategise and increase marketing efforts including traditional media and social media
Task 3
Develop partnerships with other organizations and corporations
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Increased participation
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Increase the number of new participants
Task 2
Increase the total number of participants
Task 3
Publish a activity tracking booklet for participants
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
South Arm Community Association: Promote Walk Richmond to South Arm Community Centre participants, Seniors Walking Program participants and distribute Walking Guide Books.
Richmond School Board: Promote Walk Richmond to Richmond Secondary School students, parents, and teachers. Run walking workshops in PE classes.
City of Richmond: Coordinate all promotions in the newspaper, leisure guide, and schedule fliers. Help to connect the walk coordinator with other contacts in the City to help enhance the visibility and reach of the project.
Also VCH Authority & Volunteer Richmond.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
Walk Richmond is still growing. It is looking at ways to build capacity. It may be used as a case study to implement in other communities.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
The collaborative partnerships and dedication of the Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association, the Walk Richmond coordinator and Walk Richmond volunteers.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
The Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association established the Carrie Beaman Fitness Instructor bursary in 2003 to support the continuing education needs of fitness instructors in Richmond. Each year, one to two City of Richmond Fitness Instructors have been given a bursary to help pay for courses that will better serve the fitness needs of the citizens of Richmond.
 | 47 weeks ago April Dutheil said: Thought this application may be of interest to you- An initiative by Dale Wyatt from Fernie BC to add an outdoor exercise circuit to ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 52 weeks ago Walk Richmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 52 weeks ago Walk Richmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 52 weeks ago Walk Richmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 53 weeks ago Walk Richmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 53 weeks ago Walk Richmond submitted this idea. |
