Health walk leaders share their experiences to help recruit new volunteers
Do you have a few hours to spare and enjoy walking and chatting to other people? Then Test Valley Borough Council would like to hear from you.
As part of National Walking month in May we’re looking for new volunteer walk leaders to guide health walks in different parts of the borough.
Leaders like Mike Tudball, who volunteered to help out when he retired six years ago. Mike said: “I thought it would force me to get some exercise and fresh air. I had no aspirations to lead, but it soon became clear that there’s not much distinction between helping and leading as everyone mucks in and I soon found myself taking turns with the other leaders.
“I actually had no idea until I started doing it how much the walkers appreciate the walks, and I am often told by people that if it weren’t for the health walks they probably would not leave the house. It is quite rewarding to feel that you are doing something that genuinely improves people’s lives.”
Viviene Robinson enjoys leading and said, “It’s a great way to combine volunteering with exercise and meeting people.”
Richard Wild started doing health walks when bullying at work forced him out of work and to take anti-depressants for about ten months. He says, “Everyone was so friendly and encouraging – so refreshing after my horrific experience at work. I stopped taking my anti-depressants a very few weeks later. The walk leader with whom I first walked, Mike Adkins, suggested I might like to become a walk leader. I declined, saying I’d never volunteered for anything in my life. The following week, he suggested it again and, when I declined, he told me that there was a training course coming up, and I could go along and give it a try, which I did. I was hooked.”
“I love the exercise, the views, the different participants that we get to chat with on each walk, and, of course, the coffee and chat afterwards. It’s not just what I get out of the walks, but what I feel I can offer to the walkers, (probably) the majority of whom are widows who lead a relatively lonely life. I get at least as much out of the walks as I put in, and it makes me feel good.”
Cllr Terese Swain, Portfolio Holder for Community, Leisure and Tourism said: “Health walks take place at locations across Test Valley and we’re always looking for new leaders and helper.
“Each walk is led by a qualified leader whose duties include welcoming new and existing walkers, taking an attendance register, assisting new walkers to complete a quick registration form, and leading a safe, fun and enjoyable walk.
“Many of our leaders aren’t sure when they start so do get in touch if you’re interested and give it a go! This volunteering opportunity is an ideal way to get involved with your local community whilst offering health and social benefit.”
Anyone who is interested in finding out more about becoming a health walk leader should contact Fen Holland on healthwalks@testvalley.gov.uk or 01264 368000.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to improve our health and stay connected to our community, helping us feel less lonely and isolated. The health walks are a great, free way for people to get active and explore local places and spaces in the company of others. Some walks are a gentle stroll, others more brisk and they all last around 60 minutes and cover 2-3 miles, although if you need a shorter walk this can usually be accommodated. Most end with a chance to stay for a drink and a chat and they’re great for boosting mental as well as physical health."