May 9, 2023

Walk to School Week 2023 - 15- 19 May

Walk to School Week is back for 2023 on the 15 – 19 May as part of National Walking Month. Join the Active Travel to School team in putting your best foot forward to making the school run an active journey that transforms your day and tackles climate change in your community.

Did you know that one of the most effective ways to reduce air pollution is to take fewer journeys by car? Walking together to school are small steps that add up to a huge difference in carbon emissions and improving air quality in your community. Can you walk together with friends or park further away and walk part of your journey on foot?

Walking also reduces the stress of the school run drive and allows you to start the day mindfully, engaging with your surroundings during an active journey. The Active Travel to School team has created a fun downloadable activity worksheet on 5 Ways to Wellbeing full of activities and suggestions for enriching the journey, including Walkabout Bingo encouraging mindfulness through a fun challenge on the daily school run.

We know walking to school can be a healthy and enjoyable part of your day, improving physical and mental wellbeing. Did you know it ALSO improves concentration and sets children up ready to learn for the school day?

The Active Travel to School team is delighted to share that over 30 schools and over 4000 students are taking part in our summer Five-Day Feet First Challenge running alongside Walk to School Week.  Children, parents and carers are encouraged to walk, scoot and wheel on the school run and schools and children are eligible for termly prizes.  If your school would like to take part next year or you would like to find out about more ways you can promote walking and wheeling to your school, please get in touch or visit Active Travel to School.

We know active travel can be the natural choice for many school journeys and we want to celebrate your successes!

Please share your photos and Walk to School Week adventures with Active Cumbria Active Travel Officers Jen Jennifer.free@cumberland.gov.uk and Jodie Jodie.laird@cumberland.gov.uk