The purpose of this role is to support walkers who want to improve their health and wellbeing. Bay Walks is a programme of free health walks and progression walks led by volunteer walk leaders. Health walks range from ½ mile to 4 miles long and are based in the local community. Volunteers may act as a leader or back-up leader on one or more walks, and often on a regular basis (usually weekly but not essential). For many walkers it is the social element that attracts them to the walks and walk leaders will encourage socialising before, during and after each walk.
Definition of a Health Walk: “A purposeful, brisk walk undertaken on a regular basis, as part of a led group.”
The Bay Walks scheme is part of the Neighbourhood Health Champions pilot project, aimed at improving health across Torbay at a grassroots level. As a Walk Leader your main activities/tasks will include:
- Leading or co-leading a walk on a regular basis (to be agreed)
- Planning and risk assessing walk routes
- Collecting health information from new walkers
- Attending walk leaders’ meetings
- Attending essential training as required
- Administration and data collection in line with Walking for Health requirements