SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Best foot forward for a healthy walk

NEWLY-TRAINED volunteers are all set to lead walks in communities including Yeovil, Ilchester, Milborne Port, Queen Camel and beyond following a free training event organised by South Somerset District Council.

Once again the popular Health Walk leader training day was fully booked with volunteers receiving information on everything they need to know to lead a successful walk - including details on risk assessments, route planning, first aid and the benefits of exercise. 

One of the volunteers, Barbara Hewitt, had a special reason for getting involved.

“When I retired at the end of April after working for 47 years and continuing recovery after cancer, I suddenly realised that I did not really have any hobbies, so I set about looking on the web at what would interest me and I came across Walking for Health website,” she said.

“I delved into this and found an “easy” walk in Wincanton for 30 minutes on a Tuesday morning, so I went along.  It transpired that another lady had decided to join that same day and we became firm friends and walk most Tuesdays when life doesn’t get in the way!

“I wanted to take this further so looked into South Somerset District Council’s Leader Training and decided to apply, as I had talked to my GP Surgery Nurse and she thought it would be a good idea to set up a Health Walk from the Surgery, but I had to do the training!

“So I booked a course which I attended and found to be very informative, I was amazed at the amount of paperwork, but it is not daunting, it is just a sensible way of keeping track of who comes on your walks and if anyone has any difficulties, so to be honest it takes about five minutes of your time.

“You don’t have to be first aid trained, or to be a professional health/social worker, it is just a fun way of keeping fit and meeting friends and a way to beat any health issues, such as depression. It gives you more confidence and a feeling of belonging to something that is doing you good.”

The district council’s leisure and culture spokesman, Cllr Sylvia Seal added: “Health Walks are very popular locally with our Walking for Health accredited scheme going from strength to strength in recent years.

“The scheme – which is run by South Somerset District Council’s Healthy Lifestyles Team - now offers 21 regular walking opportunities in the district and has more than 60 active volunteers.

“Our walks create more opportunities for people to exercise in their local community and provide a low cost easily accessible activity. I must extend huge thanks to this latest batch of volunteers for supporting our scheme.’’

To find out more about health walks in South Somerset visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/healthwalks. For details about the next Health Walk Leader training course contact Catherine Devonshire on 01935-462347.

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