What’s the reason I stated to volunteer with Get Walking, Keep Walking of the Ramblers?

I have found that volunteering with Get Walking is a great way to engage with the community that I live in. It has also enabled me to meet some of the local residents. I find it’s a good way of helping people to become more aware of the public health recommendation of taking 30 minutes, five times a week of moderate intense physical activity. It is also a good way for me to explore parts of south east London I haven’t seen.

Have you gained any experience since joining Get Walking?

The walks are mapped out by other volunteers; they incorporate history of some of the monuments in the area. So while walking and familiarising ourselves with the area, we also get to learn about the history of the area. All of the participants find this really informative, and ads to the enjoyment of the walk.

As a fitness instructor I have become aware of the time constraints people feel in regards to fitting gym time into their busy schedules, I was therefore keen to assist people in incorporate more activity into their daily life; The Get Walking Keep walking campaign was the perfect way for me to do that. Even though I am a Fitness instructor and walking leader I sometimes need a bit of extra motivation to reach my daily target. I find that using a step counter is good way helping me towards my 10.000 steps a day.

What group was my favourite?

Since joining Ramblers as I volunteer, I have lead several walks in London Borough of Southwark and Lewisham. One of my favourite groups to lead was a Somali Women group. They really enjoyed the walks as they otherwise would not explore the area on their own. We visited several places that where appropriate to take children to; the women gained new knowledge about the area, and found new places to visit. The women became aware of the importance of physical activity, and, reported that they would continue with the walks with the help of the new information packs and pedometers that they were given. I’ve since lead walks from GP practices, which were slightly shorter but equally as enjoyable.

Has volunteering with GW influenced my life?

As a volunteer I also get invited to several celebratory events and get to meet other volunteers. We talk about the walks and enjoy a glass of wine and snacks while making the public aware of the “Get Walking, Keep Walking Campaign”. Since joining Ramblers I found that I’ve become more active which has helped decrease stress in my everyday life. I’m also a student, and in the past found that it was quite easy to spend a day in front of the computer and not be active at all. However, since joining Ramblers, I insure that I at least get the minimum recommended amount of activity. Doing so has increased my mental well being as I find that I have more energy, I am less stressed and can concentrate more.

Have a look at Hilda’s video on our facebook page!!

www.facebook.com/getwalkinglondon

Are you looking to: burn off last year’s calories? Lose weight? Get fit without wasting your hard earned money on another gym membership? Socialise with your fellow community residents in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham and discover some of the hidden gems of the South?

If your answer to any of the above is YES then this opportunity is for YOU!

2010 was the year for cycling, and it was great to see so many of you on two wheels. This year is the year for walking and we hope now to see more of you on your own two feet!

The times of the walks are flexible and tasty refreshments will be waiting for you after!

You will also have a chance to attend community events which will be a great opportunity to engage, exchange and socialise with other community members.

If you are keen to get involved then please don’t hesitate to contact us!

New Programmes:

on Fri the 14th of Jan 4 weeks programme at the Grove Children’s centre in Peckham. Tower Mill Road, London SE15 6BY. Following dates are the 21st, 28th and 4th of Feb. from 1.30 to 3.30 pm.

on Tue the 18th of Jan DIY event at Morrison in Peckham from 11 am to 4 pm.

Wed the 19th of Jan one off walk at the Moorland Community Centre in Brixton from 11 am to 12.30 pm. 50a Corry Drive London SW9 8QT.

on Wed the 19th of Jan from 12.30 to 2.00 pm at the Streatham Wells Children’s Centre. 50 Palace Rd, London SW2 3NJ. Parents and Toddlers group. Following dates the 26th of Jan and the 2nd of Feb.

on Tue the 25th of Jan DIY event at the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre from 11 am to 4 pm.

on Thus the 27th of Jan DIY from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Healthy Life Style Event at Lucas Vale Primary school, Thornville St, London SE8 4QB, Depford-Brockley.

on the Tue the 1st of Feb St. Swithun’s Children’s Centre Hither Green Lane SE13 6QE. From 11 am to 12.30 pm. Following dates are the 8th, 15th, 22nd, of Feb and 2nd of March. The 12th week will be on the 27th of April.

on the 10th of Feb Effra Children’s Centre, 37 Effra Parade, London SW2 1PL from 1.30 to 3.00 pm. Following dates are the 17th, 24th of Feb, 3rd of March. 12th week on the 28th of April.

More walks are on the way….

“I saw an advertisement in the Metro, and it said do you like to walk and I do. And I was looking for a volunteer job so I rang up and I got started and I’ve never looked back”.

What do you think about the Get Walking project?

“Well, I had some wonderful training in the beginning which showed how you talk to people in a group and making sure people were safe and having fun. And I really enjoyed that and I love the different types of groups and it really works for me”.

Has volunteering for the Get Walking project influenced your life?

“I used to walk quite a bit but now I’ve become obsessed and I’ve got a pedometer on all the time, down there. I never ever take it off. And it really motivates me to walk a lot more”.

Do you have memories you want to share with us?

“Every group I’ve been on I’ve met somebody interesting, but for me I did meet a girl in a mother and baby group and she had been a drug addict and after the Get Walking Keep Walking she gave the drugs while she was expecting her baby and Get Walking Keep Walking kept her out of drugs and she was going to go back and train as a dancer and I thought that was just fantastic”.

What advice would you give to future volunteers?

“I would say just come for it, go for it and enjoy yourself and you will have a lot of fun”!

Thank you very much Marie!

This is Phyllis Downes, volunteer extraordinaire for Get Walking Keep Walking – Birmingham. Phyllis is an active 71year old who has lived in Birmingham for 53 years. Born in Dublin and then raised just on the outskirts of Belfast in a rural setting, Phyllis has walked all her life and loves it. Despite an ongoing problem with arthritis the last 10 years, Phyllis continues to stay active. She believes that joining the Get Walking Birmingham team has opened up a whole new world to her. Having enjoyed our programme of walks in the local area and the social side of it as well, Phyllis and good friend Pat Heatherington were both keen to join up as volunteer walk Ambassadors and Walk Leaders. They completed an application form, came on some training and were ready to start supporting the project. Phyllis feels that it has had a very positive impact on her life and her natural affinity with people means she is loved wherever she goes,  but in particular, she has shown a great talent for building rapport with young people and this has been a real pleasure for her.

“Volunteering has meant I now meet lots of new people from a whole range of ages and backgrounds. It has been particularly good to meet and work with the young people from the schools and colleges we’ve been to. It can be challenging but it’s equally enjoyable keeping up with, and sometimes outstepping the young college students. Boy, that makes them speed up when they see me ahead of them!”

Phyllis also helps out with some of the events and stalls that the project runs or attends and has been a great motivator to people that maybe need just a little encouragement to walk more for a healthier lifestyle.

“I’ve really loved going along to events like Middle Earth Weekend and Hall Green Mela where helping out with the Get walking stall has meant a day of fun with a real festive feel to it. I love it!”

Phyllis has also worked with women’s groups in Birmingham, supporting programmes that are women only and this was very rewarding:

“The pleasure on the faces of the young women when they can relax and enjoy a walk and a chat with their friends is really lovely to witness. It’s just a little bit of ‘me’ time for them out of a very busy day”

Phyllis was asked how Get Walking Keep Walking has changed her life.

“I live on my own, with my two cats. I learned about Get walking from my friend Pat. We heard of a programme happening  at the local Selly Oak Library and we decided to go along. Before joining Get Walking I was fairly active and did walk quite a bit. However, being a volunteer on the project  gave me a purpose  to be out and about a lot more. Volunteering has meant that I now meet lots of new people and it gives me a purpose and some structure to my days. Thank you Mohini and Sameena for getting me involved.”