Background:

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Walking, a physical activity, has several individual and community health benefits. The Southland Striders is a mall walking partnership that is a supervised program held within the Westfield Southland Shopping Centre, Cheltenham, Victoria. The program’s aim is to address social determinants by increasing the local communities’ participation in physical activity and social inclusion, while alleviating chronic disease. In 2012, the Southland Striders partnership celebrated their 10 year anniversary.

Methods:

The Westfield Shopping Centre in collaboration with BBCH, Monash Health and others hosts 2 x1 hour walking groups, twice a week. The walking groups are led by two fitness instructors and partnered with trained volunteer walk leaders.

Results/Discussions:

Approximately 72 participants attend the sessions with majority of registered participants preferring to stride (35) rather than stroll (15). Average age of participants is 70 years old with most members involved for more than 2 years and 44 participants attend walks on both days. Of the participants, 36 identified a change in health status since initiating regular walking. 12 participants observed no change. Many “Striders” indicated they felt fitter, healthier, held strengthened social connections with ‘community’, and a greater management of chronic disease. 29 participants indicated that they would like to know more about basic lifestyle changes to improve their health, followed by 20 participants specifying that they would like to know more about the healthcare system. Other recommendations included the use of music and name badges, utilising air conditioners and additional walks at different locations and times. Members commented they would like the walks to continue and 50 stated they would recommend the walking groups to others.

Conclusions/implications:

The program demonstrates clear physical health benefits in addition to a better sense of social inclusion and ‘community’; showcasing this innovative initiative as a model to assist with the management of chronic disease.