Walk Leader / Co-leader - Open Mental Health

About our organisation:

The Balsam Centre is committed to helping people to maintain good mental health and we run various groups and activities to prevent loneliness and isolation.

Our Walks:

Walking with others provides an opportunity to socialise and is good for wellbeing.

• The Short Walk is 50 minutes long in-and-around Wincanton starting and ending at The Balsam Centre. There may be some inclines and field paths, and the route varies each week.
• Our Long Walk is between 3 and 5 miles long, following public footpaths in rural areas, with the starting point varying each week - usually within 40 minutes drive from Wincanton.
• The Buggy Walk takes place at Stourhead every other week, walking around the lake, with pushchairs and prams.
• Each walk or Walk Leader has a kit bag with high viz vests for the lead / co-lead and a first aid kit.

The role:

The walks have a leader at the front, and a co-leader at the back. Leaders and co-leaders can change roles for each walk, but some volunteers prefer to be co-leaders and not plan or lead the walks - there is no pressure to take a leading/planning role.

All volunteers are trained by an experienced walk leader with a 2 hour course followed by a walk. Generally, people chose the level of walk they want to volunteer for - although you can volunteer for more than one group.

That's the role, so what are we looking for in our volunteers?

• You enjoy walking and are able to complete the length of walk you volunteer for.
• You are friendly and approachable - you will be the "face" of the walk, so you will be greeting people on the walk and welcoming new walkers.
• Commitment. Some of our leaders do walk every week but most walk once a month. You can even walk once every 2 months but we need a commitment that you will be able to walk the date you have agreed to.