Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, our charity i care was able to say thank you to our volunteer Health Walk leaders for their hard work and commitment.
We all know how important it is to say thank you, particularly to people who give up their spare time to help others. That’s why the Health Walks Team put in a bid into i care, to hold three separate lunch events for the volunteers at The Running Horse in Boughton Lees, Ashford, as a way of saying thank you.
More than 110 volunteers, who had all led walks across the county, came together at one of the three events. Before tucking in, the group took a walk in the beautiful Ashford countryside.
In 2015/16 – thanks to the volunteer walk leaders who supported the scheme – there were more than 4,500 walking opportunities provided at 80 different walking sites. Roughly 1,800 people attended the walks and feedback showed that a whopping 95 per cent thought that Health Walks were excellent or very good and 91 per cent said they saw an improvement in their health and wellbeing.
Julia Wells, Health Walks Co-ordinator, said: “It is so great to be able to say thank you to our volunteer health walk leaders, by using the available funds from i care. The leaders give up their own time to help other people make positive lifestyle changes and lead a happier and healthier life.”
Martyn Jordan, Health Walks Volunteer Co-ordinator, explained: “We’ve held these events for the past five years, with the last four being paid for by the trust’s charity, i care. Thousands of people across Kent have benefitted from the scheme thanks to the volunteer leaders.”
Jean Rodriguez and Patricia Breakey, who both lead Health Walks in Hythe, have become great friends since joining the scheme. Jean said: “The Health Walks are very good as they encourage people to be more social while improving their health at the same time.”
Kent Health Walks are short, local walks designed to help people get active, get outdoors and meet new people. They are especially good for people recovering from illness or who need a bit of motivation to take some extra exercise. Walks usually take from 45 minutes to an hour and a half and leave from central locations such as your local library or leisure centre. There’s no need to book, you can just turn up and join in.
Why walk?
- Reduce your risk of getting heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce stress.
- Meet new people.
- Lower your blood pressure.
- It’s free!
We have Health Walks in these areas:
- Ashford
- Broadstairs
- Canterbury
- Deal
- Dover
- Faversham
- Folkestone
- Hythe
- Maidstone
- Margate
- New Romney
- Ramsgate
- Sheppey
- Sittingbourne
Call us now on 0300 123 1220, email kcht.hicentraladmin@nhs.net or visit www.kenthealthandwellbeing.nhs.uk to find out more.