Heart Foundation Walking Tasmania Evaluation
Engaging walking program participants and stakeholders to evaluate program effectiveness and outcomes
Background
The Heart Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organisation working to improve the prevention, detection, and support of heart disease for all Australians. The Heart Foundation Walking Program was established in 1995. The largest free walking network in Australia, it offers support and motivation to people wanting to be more physically active. The program has two pathways: Walking Groups which are led by a volunteer Walk Organiser, and Personal Walking Plans which offer a personalised six-week plan and which cater for people who are unable to join a walking group and/or who prefer to walk alone.
In Tasmania, the Heart Foundation Walking Program was established in 2007. The program received funding from the Tasmanian Department of Health from January 2022 to June 2025 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among Tasmanians by increasing the number of people from priority groups participating in the program. These groups comprised First Nations communities; people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds; people from culturally diverse communities; and people living in remote, rural and regional locations.
Process and outcomes
In 2024, with funding from the Tasmanian Department of Health, the Heart Foundation Tasmania commissioned Wallis Social Research to conduct a process and outcome evaluation of the Walking Tasmania Program. The evaluation methodology involved qualitative research and secondary data analysis. The qualitative research sample comprised volunteer Walk Organisers, Group Walkers and Personal Walking Plan Walkers, and stakeholders including representatives of Host Organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
The evaluation explored varied aspects of program delivery, including barriers and enablers to participation, networking and community engagement, quality and satisfaction and outcomes of participation. The evaluation results will be used by the Heart Foundation Tasmania to determine program outcomes and inform program improvement.