As we grow older, we place great value on our mobility.

Being able to get out and about, visiting family, friends, enjoying days out and attending events, brings with it a better quality of life.

But for some people, mobility and other health problems mean that even leaving the home is difficult. They may have suffered a fall, or lack confidence due to isolation. Even if they are able to walk short distances, they may not feel sufficiently comfortable being out of the house on their own.

Age UK Bradford’s Walk From Home service operates to improve the health and wellbeing of people is such a situations.

The Bradford Council-funded project provides isolated older people with their own volunteer who will accompany them on short walks, tailored to suit their individual needs.

It increases physical activity levels and opportunities for social contact, with the aim of improving general health and helping people regain lost confidence.

Pat Layard walks with volunteer Aneesa Dawood. Pat was involved in a severe car crash two years ago and suffered two major strokes as a result. She was left with little control over her movements and cognitive ability and has worked hard to reach the point she has reached today.

“I really enjoy taking part because it gives me so much more confidence to practice my walking when someone is with me. I am unable to go far on my own as I am very nervous of traffic and have a fear of falling. When you have had something like a stroke, as I have, it is so important to keep going and keep working at it, instead of just giving up.”

Says Aneesa: “I love my role as a volunteer. Pat and I get on really well. The experience I gained led to me securing a job as a care worker, which has always been my dream.”

One client commented how his wife, who has advanced dementia, cannot remember her walks but “always seems calm afterwards and sleeps better”.

Another, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, now feels more confident in doing short walks .

“I felt very frustrated when my body no longer allowed me to walk miles. I was introduced to a very nice lady who has walked along the street with me each week.”

The service – which can help people to adjust when they come out of hospital following surgery – also helps anyone aged 50 or over. At any one time around 50 people use the scheme.

“We aim to do around 143 walks a month – that is 1705 walks every year,” says project coordinator Laura Hogarth. “It is really popular, especially in summer. We aim to improve people’s confidence outdoors. They can get out, get some sunshine and regain their independence and confidence.

“Some people set a target to walk towards – it may be the local shop, or just to the end of the drive. It is based purely on what people want to achieve.”

“It helps to reduce social isolation. Some people are housebound, and could be very lonely. Others might have lost confidence after falling and become frightened of leaving home. The scheme is really successful and really helps people.”

Volunteers accompany clients on walks every week for 12 weeks. Clients are assessed at the beginning, middle and end of this period. They can then be directed to other social activities to help maintain their mobility level and prevent them from becoming isolated.

People can be referred by other agencies or themselves. “Physiotherapists attached to local hospitals refer people to us,” adds Laura. “We receive around a dozen referrals every month and match clients with volunteers who live locally.

Clients and volunteers often become friends, staying in touch after the scheme has ended. “They still pop in to see them, which is lovely,” says Laura.

“ It is one-to-one support,” says Colin Gornall, chief executive at Age UK Bradford, “We have around 100 volunteers. “It is based on what people want to achieve. We talk to them and assess them then match them with a volunteer. Their long-term goal may be to walk to the shops or to a friend’s house.”

Alan Midgley, head of project operations at Age UK in Bradford, says: “It helps a lot. We get such positive feedback from people saying how much it has helped them.”

For more information on Age UK’s Walk from Home : Tel: 01274 395144 Mobile: 07791088427 E:laura.hogarth@ageukbradfordanddistrict.org.uk