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Marcus's Health walk Experience


Published 12 November 2025

Hi, my name is Marcus Huggins, and I have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and today, as of writing this, I will be participating in a Health Walk in Fairlands Valley in Stevenage on Wednesdays with Kim and Claire which, walking is one of my favourite activities to do and it burns calories.

What was the walk like?

What I expected during my health walk was that I was expecting a lot of individuals to take part into this activity in or around the Stevenage area, and there was. I also expected people of all ages to participate and explore more of mother nature.

My experience with the Health Walk is that it has boosted my energy for working at HCC, and it has been fun chatting to the participants which has improved my social skills and meet new people.

The Health Walk is accessible to individuals with SEND as most of the terrain is flat, suitable for the people who are in wheelchairs. They offer skills such as social skills, confidence and independence.

Would you recommend the walk for others?

For parents and carers, this health walk enables you to stay active even if you’re not at university or at work. It also forms a strong bond between you, physically and mentally, your child, nature and the local community. You don’t need to pay to do this activity, just show up and they’ll sign you in.

For young people, this walk gets you to be proactive and and immerse yourselves into the world. It's a way to get you to expect and experience what the real world is like, and to jump start you to becoming more independant. You can experience nature, being inclusive to the community, and to clear troubles you might be experiencing.

For those who are reading independently, I also recommend joining in this walk since it will also strengthen your social skills.

Below are the videos and photos of my walk, and I hope this inspires you to join this activity.

Hertfordshire Health Walks | Hertfordshire County Council

A word from the Hertfordshire Health Walks Team

 

“Hertfordshire Health Walks offer a fun, free and sociable programme of over 70 weekly walks across the County. We have walks for all abilities – our shortest walks last up to 30 minutes and keep to a gentle pace on flat paths.  But we also have longer, brisker walks too. All walks are led by friendly, trained volunteers with someone at the front and the back so everyone stays together. They often end with the chance to go for a cuppa too!

Walking helps you look and feel good. While exploring new places and enjoying the fresh air, you can meet like-minded people from all walks of life. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen bones and muscles and improves sleep.”

How can you join in?

To find a walk near you, visit: Hertfordshire Health Walks or take a look at their timetable of easy and accessible walks (PDF 195kb) - perfect for beginners to get you started.  

It is very easy to join a Health Walk. No booking required.

Simply turn up on the day and, if it's your first walk, please arrive 10 minutes before the start to complete a New Walker Form. If you prefer, you can register for a health walk online.

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