Around 1,500 people take part in one of the dozens of walks held around the city every week, each of which is led by one of the 100 or so volunteers currently supporting Walking for Health.
More volunteers are now needed as some are preparing to retire in the coming weeks. Volunteers are asked to spare around 2 hours a week, and the role involves leading the walks as well as risk assessing routes and completing a small amount of administrative tasks. To help them, volunteers are given training and insurance, first aid training, free equipment and on going support.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Our Walking for Health scheme is hugely successful, and that is down to the legion of fantastic volunteers who lead the walks throughout the week.
"This is an excellent opportunity for people who are friendly, outgoing, enjoy walking and want to help the local community be more physically active.
"We offer nationally accredited walk leader training, basic first aid and CPR training, a walking for health kitbag, a first aid kit, travel expenses, regular walk leader meetings, newsletters and support from the Walking for Health in Wolverhampton scheme coordinator. It also looks great on your CV.
"We're particularly looking to recruit leaders to help out with walks in Bilston, Ashmore Park, Bantock Park and Tettenhall, but wherever people wish to help out, their support will be gratefully appreciated."
To find out more about becoming a walk leader, please call 01902 553838 or Freephone 0800 073 4242 for an application form. The next volunteer walk leader training day takes place on Friday 20 January, 2017.
The Walking for Health programme was launched in 2001 to encourage people to take more exercise.
Fifteen years on, the initial 3 weekly walks have grown to 40 per week. They range from easy 30 minute walks around parks to more challenging, 90 minute walks which go off the beaten track. There are also heritage health walks with expert commentary on the history and heritage of the local area, British Sign Language led walks for people with hearing difficulties and toddle waddles for parents and babies.
For more information about Walking for Health, please call 01902 553838 or Freephone 0800 073 4242 or email wolccg.oneyou@nhs.net.
- released: Wednesday 14 December, 2016