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Sustainability and evidence of success: An 18-month follow-up study of the Doorstep Walks initiative

Objective To assess the sustainability and evidence of success of an independent walking initiative titled Doorstep Walks. Design A retrospective follow-up study using a self-administered questionnaire. Setting The city of Salisbury in the county of Wiltshire with a population of approximately 24,000. Method A postal questionnaire was administered to recipients of the Doorstep Walks pack ( n=322) 18 months after its intervention. Results Sustainability was noteworthy at 18.6 per cent of the initial cohort with approximately one in six continuing to use the resource 18 months after initial participation. Frequency of use remained similar to the original cohort with approximately one in four doing between one and five walks per 3-month period. The sustainability of reduced short car journey use and encouragement to go on 'alternative' walks was also demonstrated ( 1 in 8, and 1 in 7 respectively). Conclusion Whilst the initiative has a prominent appeal to the 'active' its success in encouraging the 'sedentary' to become 'active' has also been demonstrated, although this is based on subjective, self-reported evidence. It is suggested that further attention be focused on the influence of the pack in encouraging alternative walking and use of walking as a mode of transport. The paper considers the value of the findings in the further development of such initiatives and in formulating an evidence base of success. Further research examining the effective targeting of such schemes and their longer-term impacts is recommended.