Walk Leaders

If you are keen to support and inspire others to get active through walking then becoming a volunteer walk leader with Wellbeing Walks YMCA East Surrey could be just the role for you. By volunteering on our Easy Access walks, you’ll be helping people in your community to get active and improve their heatlh, providing vital support that they otherwise might not get. You bring your qualities and we’ll get you trained.

Regular walking is beneficial for both physical and mental wellbeing, and can help combat isolation and loneliness. The social side of group walking is as important as the exercise. Many friendships have been forged by people taking part in our walks. Our walkers come from a variety of backgrounds and  have different abilities. We offer 20 short (30 – 90 minutes) very different walks which operate 5 days a week across East Surrey.  Volunteering with us would entail leading on a regular basis but the role comes with a degree of flexibility. Walkers are encouraged to walk at a pace that is comfortable for them - not a stroll, and not too brisk.

The role of a volunteer walk leader comes with help and support, plus you'll stay active, develop your leadership skills, get to know your local area and meet lots of new people. In the walk leading role you will, along with other leaders, welcome walkers, take a register of participants, and guide them along risk assessed routes, keeping the group together and safe. Volunteer meetings are held 3 or 4 times a year.

Training, induction and ongoing support is provided. So if you like to walk and have some time to spare, we would love to hear from you. 

What skills do I need?

Essential:

• Is able to commit to leading an agreed timetable on a regular basis
  
• Can comfortably walk for 30-minutes at the least and 90-minutes at the most
  
• Can work to keep a group of walkers together, avoiding hazards
  
• Is friendly and sociable
• Is able to communicate regularly with the coordinator and other leaders

Desirable:

• Willing to submit walk registers onto Ramblers Wellbeing Walks app (note: this is not a necessity of the role).
  

When do I need to be available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

Potential volunteers will be recruited to lead on one of our 20 walks in Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge. The walks take place Monday - Friday, mostly mornings and some afternoons. The walks are anything between 30-minutes up to 90-minutes. Volunteers can discuss which walk suits their availability - and the area in which they live. For example, a volunteer might choose to lead on a morning walk in Tandridge, or an afternoon walk in Reigate & Banstead - or both. There is also an option to lead on more than one walk on different days. Some walks operate every week, some twice a month and one walk operates once a month. This is an ongoing role with no specific end date.