They will complete a 12-week peer-led walking programme. Participants will be paired together as walking partners and will be given a pedometer and step count logs for self-monitoring. The walking co-ordinators will facilitate walking groups two times a week in the local areas, lasting for 30 minutes. The nature of the walks will be tailored to the participants stated preferences of types of activity. Participants will also receive local walking route maps. After 12 weeks, the formal peer-led component will finish and participants will be encouraged to continue walking with their walking partners other activity programmes organised in the fold in order to maintain activity levels.

Folds assigned to the control group will not receive any additional support to change their physical activity behaviour over the course of the intervention period.

At the six-month data collection point they will be offered a referral to a local walking group in their area or advice on beginning a self-directed walking programme (similar to Public Health Agency www.choosetolivebetter.com/content/getting-active). They will be asked to complete outcome measures at baseline and follow up time-points. Post-study a sample of control participants will be asked to attend a focus group, exploring their views on social activity as form of physical activity for older adults in folds.

A 12 week peer led walking group for adults and older adults (> 55 years) living in independent living communities in Northern Ireland. Designed to increase physical activity levels of inactive older adults and measure sustained changes in physical behaviour 6 months after the intervention ends.

Changes from baseline MVPA as assessed by Actigraph accelerometer

To explore changes in health-related quality of life, a validated self-reported questionnaire EuroQol-5D will be completed by study participants.