We want more people living in Scotland to enjoy the benefits of everyday walking.

One way to achieve this is to influence the development and delivery of national policy.

We are working to improve policies and strategies that support our main delivery themes:

• Walking for Health
• Active Environments
• Active Travel

We do this through inputting to consultations, briefings, participation in forums or working groups, cross party groups in the Parliament and by working with our Partners and other stakeholders to influence change.

We are a key delivery partner for the Scottish Government’s National Walking Strategy (NWS) and we facilitate the NWS Delivery Forum. Our work is also key in helping to deliver the Active Scotland Outcomes Framework and Delivery Plan, the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland and the Long-term Vision for Active Travel in Scotland.

To help us achieve a healthier Scotland where more people walk every day, it’s vital for us to advocate for change at a national level but we also influence policy at a regional and local level. Good examples of opportunities to promote walking are in any health, transport, planning and enviromental policies.

Embedding the right policies in these types of documents really does help promote walking in the longer term.

Let's Get Scotland Walking

Paths for All are the facilitators of the Scottish Government's National Walking Strategy (NWS), published in 2014. Its vision is for “A Scotland where everyone benefits from walking as part of their everyday journeys, enjoys walking in the outdoors and where places are well designed to encourage walking.”

Its success will rely upon the collective efforts of a wide range of stakeholders, including Paths for All, who all hope to achieve lasting change and make Scotland a world leader as a walking friendly country.

Looking ahead

We seek opportunities where we can use our expertise and evidence to positively influence policy. From improving walking environments in our towns and cities, to introducing walking interventions that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we aim to influence important pieces of proposed legislation that really make a difference to the health of our nation.

Our policy work will ensure there is an increasing focus on physical activity within policy and practice at national and local levels.

If you would like more information, contact: policy@pathsforall.org.uk