Detailed description (English): The volunteers of 3 non-profit associations of Ancona (voluntary blood donors AVIS, Italian Alpine Club CAI and Italian Union of Sport for All UISP), since May 2015 have joined spontaneously to accompany once a week (on Friday evening) citizens along routes within the city and cover an average length of 6-8 km, in a time of about 1h30 minutes. Since the launch of the initiative in May 2015, the average number of participants has been 85-100, with peaks of 160-180. The initiative is in collaboration with the Municipality of Ancona and in particular with the Office of the Network of Healthy Cities of the WHO and with the patronage of the Local Health Authority. The initiative is totally free for both participants and bodies, does not receive public subsidies, is spontaneous and self-organized.
Detailed description (original language): Volontari di 3 associazioni senza scopo di lucro di Ancona (donatori volontari di sangue AVIS; Club Alpino Italiano CAI e Unione Italiana Sport per Tutti UISP) , dal maggio 2015 si sono uniti spontaneamente per accompagnare una volta la settimana (il venerdì sera) i cittadini lungo itinerari dentro la città e percorrere in compagnia mediamente 6-8 km in circa 1h30minuti. Dalla partenza dell’iniziativa nel maggio 2015, la media di partecipanti è stata di 85-100 camminatori, con punte di 160-180 partecipanti. L’iniziativa è in collaborazione con la Municipalità di Ancona ed in particolare con l’Ufficio della Rete Citta Sane OMS ed il patrocinio dell’Azienda Sanitaria Locale. L’iniziativa è totalmente gratuita sia per i partecipanti che per gli Enti, non riceve sussidi pubblici, è spontanea ed auto-organizzata.
Target group(s): The beneficiaries of sustainable action are all participants who are encouraged, through a continuous weekly initiative (94 walks from 2015 to the present day), to adopt lifestyles that are correct for health and the environment. The action is also an encouragement for those who, while not yet participating in the initiative, have the opportunity to see the group of walkers moving around the city.
Objectives: Promote recreational motor activity such as walking, as a vector of cardiovascular prevention and health factor;
Promoting the quality of the urban environment, both air quality and stimulating the Municipal Administration to create roads and cycle paths and improve the urban green;
Promoting the meeting of people, interpersonal relationships through the ability to walk and talk in groups, reduce social isolation.
Expected Outcomes: To increase the number of participants over time as an indicator of changing lifestyles;
To increase the level of satisfaction of the participants in the city walks, in terms of perceived psycho-physical well-being;
Improving the attention of policy makers in terms of attention to infrastructure and safe routes for pedestrians and/or bicycles.
Partner: Association of Italian Volunteers Blood Ancona AVIS
Italian Alpine Club Ancona CAI
Italian Union of Sport for All Ancona UISP
WHO Healthy City Network - Municipality of Ancona