Resources for anyone involved with volunteers in Kent

NHS Health Walks - East Kent

HealthWalks are free, short, volunteer-led local walks aimed at those who wish to be more active. Walks are usually between 40 - 90 minutes and leave from accessible venues such as libraries and leisure centres. There is no need to book, just turn up for a free HealthWalk! Most HealthWalks end with refreshments and a chat.

So what are the benefits of HealthWalks?

Walking can:

• Make you feel good
• Give you more energy
• Reduce stress and help you sleep better
• Keep your heart strong and reduce your blood pressure
• Help you manage your weight

Organised, volunteer-led HealthWalks can:

• Help you meet new people
• Help you feel safe whilst walking
• Help you explore the local area with confidence
• Give you the encouragement needed to take up gentle exercise

Above: Bernie Willaimson, Volunteer HealthWalk Leader, based in Deal

 Bernie Williamson became involved in leading HealthWalks after seeing an advert in a local magazine, and has been a HealthWalk Leader for the last 2 1/2 years. In March 2009 he suffered a heart attack and walking became an important part of his fight back to full fitness. Bernie says "I've set up a walk for people who feel they can't walk for very long distances and I always make sure that no-one gets left behind so you are able to walk at a pace you are comfortable with. My doctor advised me after my heart attack that walking was the best thing I could do to get me back to full fitness. I had to start all over again with walking. I found it infuriating to begin with but now I'm back to full strength".

The HealthWalks scheme is looking for volunteer HealthWalk Leaders, and welcomes newcomers to the walking groups, so if you'd like to find out more information please contact the HealthWalks Team (based at Dover & District Volunteer Centre) on:

Tel: 01304 367917

Email: healthwalks@nhs.net

To read Bernie Williamson's article about becoming a HealthWalks Leader please click here

To read about one couple's amazing HealthWalks Wedding Anniversary please click here

To find out how to become a volunteer health walks leader please click here

To visit Dover District Volunteer Centre's website please click here