Volunteers wanted to help residents walk their way to health

The borough’s Walkwell programme is calling on local people to volunteer as lead walkers by running a series of free training days.

The one-day courses run at Cambridge House, Cambridge Grove, Hammersmith, from 10am until 4pm on 15 November, 6 December and 13 December. Participants will gain a recognised sports accreditation as volunteer walk leaders.

Walkwell has recently launched their ten local walks for health – after publishing a handy Step Out for Health pack of full-colour leaflets covering each route.
The routes and the pack of ten leaflets, which cover some of the borough’s best loved parks, buildings and other landmarks, have been developed by Walkwell and Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre (HFUSC) using a team of community volunteers to research and develop the walks and leaflets, each of which comprises a description of the route, photographs, a map and eight points of historical and environmental interest.

Sylvia Warman, Walkwell co-ordinator, said: “I am particularly interested in encouraging members of community groups and other local organisations to train as volunteer walk leaders to help more local people to enjoy the health benefits of taking part in short walks. We are very proud of the huge amount of time and energy our existing volunteer walkers have contributed to the creation, design and research of the leaflets pack.”

Cllr David Williams, deputy for education, said: “Walking is an enjoyable, stress-free way to take regular exercise and I hope that these training courses and the local walks pack encourage more people of all ages to get out on foot and experience the rich history and environment of the borough.”

To sign up for the training courses phone Sylvia Warman on 020 7736 0864 or email sylvia.warman@lbhf.gov.uk.

Local walks packs can be collected from adult education centres, libraries, Hammersmith Town Hall, the Hammersmith Broadway information centre and the North Fulham NDC shop, in North End Road.

November 7, 2004