Communities

Positive Steps Kemnay

“The posts are fantastic. Anyone can use them, you don’t need to come to the walking group, the community here can use them all the time, they’re so accessible.”

In the village of Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, a community walking group partnered with us to install eight strength and balance posts in their village green in 2024. Each post includes instructions and physical supports that can be used to complete a range of Strength and Balance activities.

Positive Steps Kemnay has offered free Health Walks to locals for over 10 years. Over 50 participants come back regularly to enjoy the benefits of walking, as well as Strength and Balance classes. Having the guidance posts in the community means that anyone can use them and benefit from the movement, whether they attend the health walks or not:

“We can already see the wider community using the strength and balance posts and this will add to the health and wellbeing benefits for all of us.”
Rob Mackay, Positive Steps Kemnay coordinator

Regular walking plus Strength and Balance exercises provides the key to an active, happy and healthy older age. Sitting less and improving muscle strength is crucial for us as we age. Our strength and balance help to maintain mobility, independence and confidence to move more as well as reducing the risk of falls.

A number the regular walkers with Positive Steps Kemnay are over 80 years old, including Kathleen who has attended for over 5 years, and has lived with a long-term health condition for over 10 years: