Health Promotion staff (Uists & Barra team) host a buggy walking group aimed at parents and carers of babies and toddlers in buggies, prams or carriers.

The Buggy Buddies group meets on the Isle of South Uist each Thursday from 12.30pm–1.30pm and will meet during the summer months.

Buggy Buddies is open to all parents and carers, free and no booking is required. The group is a great way for baby to get fresh air within local surroundings, whilst parents and carers have an opportunity for some gentle exercise together while they are increasing their parent and baby bonding time.

Walking can improve wellbeing and promote good mental health and hopefully the more relaxed parents are, the more relaxed their baby will be too. During the walks the potential for new friendships are also being forged, which is particularly beneficial for parents of similarly aged children to their own.  Developing supportive social networks with one another can help them cope with the challenges of parenting.

The walks have been organised to help people to feel fitter and feel better about themselves, have more energy, reduce stress, reduce blood pressure, manage their weight, reduce isolation and have fun. The Health Walks are available to all, regardless of their fitness levels.

Regular exercise has been shown to lead to longer and healthier lives e.g. reducing the risk of heart disease by half, lower the risk of strokes, reducing the risk of certain cancers (breast, colon), reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as improving mood and reducing the risk of depression.

There is also an additional Health Walk from Balivanich Clinic held every Tuesday from 2pm–3pm and all are welcome to attend.

For further information please contact Marion Matheson, Health Improvement Practitioner, Health Promotion Department, tel. 01870 602588 or email: marion.matheson1@nhs.net