Throughout April residents can visit Foot Solutions in Red Lion Street, Richmond for a free footwear assessment.

With the arrival of warmer weather, many will be eager to enjoy pleasant walks in parks, green spaces, and riverside areas.

Multiple studies show that walking not only improves physical well-being, but that it's good for our mental health too.

However, for older individuals, ensuring safe and comfortable walks requires the right footwear.

Key considerations for footwear:

1. Comfort
2. Safety

Foot Solutions believes that the goal should be to walk easily and pain-free for several hours at a time.

To achieve this, wearing well-constructed, supportive footwear is essential.

The feet are the body's foundation, and if they are not stable, aligned, and properly supported, issues such as joint pain and discomfort can arise.

Foot Solutions has a range of comforable and safe shoes to choose from (credit: Nub News).

For many, additional arch support may also be necessary, meaning footwear should be able to accommodate custom inserts.

Wearing poorly fitted, low-quality shoes not only reduces comfort but can lead to serious health risks, including plantar fasciitis, bunions, and even arthritis.

According to University Hospitals of Leicester, an estimated 24,000 older people fall each year due to ill-fitting footwear, often resulting in fractures and other serious injuries.

A Foot Solutions spokesperson said: "At Foot Solutions, we want to help people experience safe, comfortable, pain-free mobility so that they can enjoy all the health benefits of walking.

"By assessing people's footwear and advising accordingly, we can help ensure that they are properly equipped to achieve these aims".

To arrange a FREE footwear assessment please call 020 8940 1814 to book an appointment, or message Foot Solutions, Richmond here

Foundry Richmond is a sponsor of Richmond Nub News, without our sponsors, our Richmond online newspaper would not be possible. Thank you.