Talk N Walk Program Vision

There is great potential for the Talk N Walk program to have a real impact on community health and wellbeing by supporting WA girls, families, and young people of all abilities to develop healthier lifestyles and experience a stronger sense of belonging and connection to community.  

a group of girls standing under a tree

Walking increases opportunities for face-to-face social contact in the community; it helps people to map their neighbourhoods in social terms; it’s a great physical activity starting point for the very in-active, with very few barriers to participation; and, it can be a really good way to lift your mood and improve your mental health.   

The program aims to motivate and support children and young people to experience these benefits from a young age.  To recognise that walking isn’t just for old people;  that it can be fun; that it makes you feel good and can help relieve everyday stresses;  that conversation flows easier when walking;  that your creativity and ability to problem solve improves; and, that you can literally walk yourself out of a bad mood (in just 10 minutes!). 

a couple of people kissing

The program also highlights how walking in nature – in parks, along bush trails, or at the beach – amplifies these benefits – and to connect families, children and young people to local natural assets where they can Talk N Walk.  

Nature Play WA is looking for corporate, government and community partners with aligned objectives, to help us promote the benefits of talking and walking and realise our Talk N Walk program vision.

Ways to Get Involved with Talk N Walk

Girls, families, children and young people

Schools

Talk N Walk is a simple, flexible program with everything you need to get started provided in our Talk N Walk for Schools Toolkit.  Take students out for Talk N Walk sessions at any time, anywhere – the more natural the location the better.

Or why not organise a Talk N Walk to School event!

Community and Youth Programs

Talk N Walk is a simple, versatile and valuable tool that community groups can utilise to achieve multiple program goals. Find out more in our Talk N Walk Community Toolkit.

Organisations working with children and young people from the autism community

In 2023 Nature Play WA made accessibility updates to the Talk N Walk app, working with children and young people from Spectrum Space to undertake an ‘autism friendliness’ review of the program, including the co-design of supporting resources to support uptake by families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We were honoured to receive the award for Not-for-Profit/Community Organisation App of the Year for 2023 at the Centre for Accessibility Australia’s Australian Access Awards, in recognition of this work. Find out more.

Local Governments

  • Contact Kellie Hill – [email protected] to discuss Talk N Walk event opportunities and the potential to work with us in co-designing location specific Talk N Walk resources with children and young people from your community. 
a group of people standing outside

Research Institutions

  • Contact Kellie Hill – [email protected] to discuss potential Talk N Walk research partnership opportunities exploring the efficacy of Talk N Walk in supporting increased physical activity, improved social connections, health and wellbeing. 
  • Talk N Walk card sample
  • photograph of girls legs, from the waist down, walking to the left of the photograph. From left to right the girls are wearing: girl 1: pink and blue oversized shirt, cream coloured wide-leg pants and white sneakers, girl 2: olive green shorts, pink and maroon checked shirt tied around her waist, hot pink coloured Converse sneakers, and she has friendship bracelets around her left wrist, and one on each ankle, girl 3: light blue jumper, denim shorts and white sneakers, girl 4 and 5: light grey tracksuit pants and white sneakers.
  • Tuart Hill PS Talk N Walk
  • A group of ten girls aged 10 to 13 walking towards camera, on a cement path. They are talking, smiling and laughing as they join in a group conversation. There are tall gum trees along the sides of the path and in the background.
  • Kids and Mum Walk to School 98five website