Its not just about the walking.....

When, with two others, I took on the role of volunteer scheme coordinator for our local group, little did I realise how much there would be to do that wasn't just about walking. This may well be due to my inability to say 'no' but I thought I'd share some of what I have been up to in the last week as it's (mostly) great fun and very rewarding.

We were invited to a Community Fete at Lydney Community Centre on 1st June to talk to people about what we do. It was a lovely day, and we were lucky enough to have a Walking for Health flag banner to show who we were.

There was plenty of interest. We talked to lots of people, handed out leaflets and made some useful contacts. One person, Richard, turned out to be the local village agent for St Briavels, an area where we need a new walk. So, tomorrow, at Richard's suggestion, we are going to a drop-in cafe at St Briavels Village Hall to talk to villagers about the possibility of finding a walk leader and setting up a walk. I have just heard that Richard's wife would like to train as a leader so we have got off to a good start. Time well spent at the fete!

Later in the week we were invited to a 'Connecting People and Services' event in Cinderford. This was billed as a drop-in for health professionals to come and find out what local organisations have to offer. Sadly, there weren't as many professionals as we would have liked, but the networking opportunities were amazing! We have already had a couple of phone calls from organisations wanting to signpost people to our walks. The main need seems to be for carers and people with dementia (either together or separately). Lets hope we can help.

On Friday, having been asked by our Regional Coordinator for Walking for Health, Laura Brooks, I went with her to Telford to talk to the Walkabout Wrekin Walk Leaders here's a link. For the last 13 years their scheme has been run by the local authority who, from 30th June, will no longer be able to do so. To keep the scheme going the volunteer walk leaders need to work out how to run the scheme themselves. I hope I was able to put their minds at rest - we are living proof that volunteers can co-ordinate a Walking for Health scheme! Good luck Walkabout Wrekin.

Today, we led our Parkend walk which is really what Walking for Health is all about. Nice day, 25 walkers and a good natter over coffee afterwards. I love my 'job'.

Some of the Parkend walkers in 2012 - still walking!