People in Public health Stella Goddard, Natural England’s Healthy Walking Project Manager

Volunteers, why do we involve them? Reach: it increases the number of schemes we can support Sustainability: schemes can have a longer life with volunteers involved Influence: target audiences recognize volunteers as being like them and trust them Logistics: it’s the only realistic way to be able to support so many walks and walkers

Advantages to the Programme Volunteers can become walking champions Volunteers can mentor participants Volunteers can root the scheme in their community Volunteers make the walks possible Volunteers make the walks sociable and enjoyable Volunteers make volunteers feel safe on the walk

Advantages to Participants Participants have a friend to show them where to walk The walk will be safe, enjoyable and friendly The walk will be local, regular and accessible The walk will be non-threatening The walk will not feel medicalised The walk will feel like a social activity The walk will feel like their walk

Advantages to Walk leaders It is an opportunity to progress as a walker It is a way to sustain something they like doing It is a way to champion something they enjoy It is a chance to be part of something It is a way to help their community

Needs of Volunteers To know what is expected of them To know who can help them To know how to do it To have the equipment to do it To feel valued To be protected To have their costs reimbursed

Support WHI offers volunteers Walk leader training Public liability Insurance Advice Materials Networks Website E/paper newsletter Reward events

Numbers involved 33,900 walk leaders trained About 2/3 active at any time 327