Health and Activity Volunteers

Health and Activity Volunteers

If you enjoy cycling, walking or running and meeting new people in the fresh air would you like to use your enthusiasm to encourage others to do the same?

We are looking for local people to join our friendly team of volunteers to help lead and back up our weekly activities across East Dorset, including at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest.  We welcome anyone who likes walking, cycling or running (or all 3!). No previous skills or experience are necessary just a keenness to help others get more active.
All the below opportunities are offered from Moors Valley.

Volunteer Health Walk Leaders

A health walk is a weekly volunteer led activity to help encourage local people to enjoy the fresh air and countryside within a safe environment. All walks are free and most include the opportunity to enjoy a cuppa at the end. Walks take place across Dorset Council area and vary between 30mins and 1 hour depending on the location.  The walks form part of the National Ramblers wellbeing walks scheme.
Description of role: To lead or back up groups on ‘Health Walks’ (brisk, regular walks of 10 to 90 minutes) and encourage individuals to do more walking.

Volunteer Health Cycle Leaders

A health cycle is very similar to a health walk, apart from the fact you need a bike! There are currently 3 weekly free rides taking place across East Dorset, including Moors Valley.
Description of role: To lead or back up groups on ‘Health Cycle’ and encourage individuals to do more cycling.

Accessible Cycle Programme

Accessible Cycle Bike Maintenance Support Volunteer: Experienced and trained volunteer to help clean and maintain accessible cycle fleet on a regular basis outside of twice a year full service and in line with set procedures.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer to help support the accessible cycle programme we would love to hear from you, please email us at healthandactivity@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Volunteer Run Leaders

To help lead Couch to 5K programmes throughout the year.
Description of Role: To lead groups following the NHS Couch to 5K running programme.

Training

A free training course is provided for most volunteering opportunities alongside support and guidance from the Council’s Health & Activity team who are based at Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre.

Commitment

Some volunteers like to help each week, others just once a month. Some volunteers prefer just to back up, others to lead every time… it is really up to you. We are very lucky to have an enthusiastic and friendly team of volunteers to share the load and who are often happy to step in to cover if an unplanned doctor or dentist appointment crops up! Our Health & Activity team regularly meets up with the volunteers to chat about any problems and to plan rotas, oh and to enjoy a cuppa and chat of course!

What to do next…

If you would like further information on our volunteering opportunities or just an informal chat please contact The Health & Activity Team on 01425 480811 or email healthandactivity@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk