Community Plus: You’ll never walk alone!
Over the past 20+ years, we have trained more than 1000 walk leaders in Kirklees. With new walking routes created and maintained in both rural and urban neighbourhoods, Kirklees is the perfect place to get active! The course will be delivered by our highly skilled trainers to give volunteers and staff the skills and confidence to lead safe, welcoming, and enjoyable Health Walks in a community setting. Combining walking and being in nature holds many benefits for your mental and physical health and can support your wellbeing. After even a short walk, you’ve probably noticed how much better you feel for it.
Walk Leader Colin
One of the many walk leaders across Kirklees is Colin, who has been leading a walk at Oakwell Hall for the past 13 years. After being made redundant he wanted to do something meaningful with his time and becoming a walk leader seemed the perfect fit due to his love of walking. Colin carried out the training and soon started his own walk through the pleasant surroundings of Oakwell Hall and the Elizabethan manor house in Birstall. At its peak the walk attracted over 30 people, since covid these numbers have lowered but still gets 15 plus people every week. Colin combines volunteering as a walk leader with a role at Batley Library, with many of his walkers coming from a crochet group that’s based there.
Community Plus Social walks everybody Active Walks
The walks across Kirklees all vary in difficulty, length and duration, with many splitting up into smaller groups depending on what you’d like to do. All the walks can be found on our (Link to new whats on page). One of the participants, Sue, attends the Oakwell Hall Wellness Walk with another walker leader, Ann. Sue has been an avid walker all her life, often walking most days and even completing the three peaks challenge. Since developing a physical impairment, Sue struggled to walk as much as she’d like due to lack of confidence and reduced mobility. Having met the Oakwell Hall Group by chance three years ago she joins most weeks, she eased herself in by taking part in a less strenuous walk around the grounds. Ann felt the group was really welcoming to all differing abilities and sees all the walks flowing into one other as a persons confidence increases.
The Benefits of walking
Walking is a great form of exercise, and evidence shows that regular exercise can help:
• Improve circulation • Lower blood pressure • Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke • Reduce risk of cancer • Help manage weight and reduce of Type II diabetes • Boost your immune system • Improve your mood • Get a better night’s sleep • Reduce stress and anxiety • Increase your energy • Help you to cope during difficult times • Improve your confidence and self-esteem • Reduce your risk of depression • Reduce loneliness and meet new friends.
National Walking Month Celebration
Do you lead a walk in Kirklees? Or want to know more about becoming a walk leader?
Join us for an inspiring event hosted by Community Plus, where we come together to honour the incredible work of volunteer walk leaders across Kirklees.
This special event, to coincide with National Walking month is a chance to share good practices, exchange stories, and celebrate the positive impact these dedicated individuals have on our community.
Let’s walk together in the spirit of community and support, inspired by the ethos of “You’ll never walk alone”. Your presence will make this celebration even more special.