18 March 2010Local residents looking to meet new people have the chance to join a band of friendly volunteers in the District.
Sevenoaks District Council is currently looking to recruit new volunteer walk leaders to help lead the health walks that currently take place across the District. Training is free and provided, where possible, at a local venue.
Health walks are about an hour long and designed for people who may not be used to physical activity or just want to get active and meet new people.
Sevenoaks District health walks currently take place weekly in the following locations:
The Council are recruiting new volunteers for all of the above locations, but are particularly interested in hearing from potential volunteers who live in the Lullingstone and Hever areas.
Volunteers looking to establish health walks in new areas are also welcomed to contact the Council.
Cllr Elaine Bracken, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for healthy living, says: "With around 130 regular walkers on the District’s weekly health walks, we are always looking for motivated individuals who feel that they have some time to give, enjoy meeting new people and have the added interested of getting active. If that sounds like you, get in touch!"
Debra, a walk leader on New Ash Green health walk, adds: "Becoming a walk-leader has enabled me to get to know many more people in my local community with the result that I have made new friends and feel privileged to be part of a ‘special group’ of fellow volunteers. Here in New Ash Green we have 12 people trained to be walk-leaders, nine of whom take it in turns to lead walks on a nine week rota basis, and three who prefer to be our regular back-markers. Having a rota means that we are not committed to attend every walk, though most of us do as we enjoy the walks so much. I really look forward to seeing everyone and having a good natter before, during, and after the walk! There is of course the added bonus that the walking helps to keep me fit and active. I would encourage anyone to give it a go!"
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer walk leader, or who would like to find out more, should call the Council 01732 227121 for further information.
The Sevenoaks District health walks are organised by Sevenoaks District Council and are funded by NHS West Kent as part of the National Choosing Health agenda, which aims to make health choices easier.
