38 walk leaders enjoyed a two hour heritage walk through Sutton Woods in Telford, last week Monday 2 June 2011, to celebrate national Volunteers’ Week. The walk leaders all volunteer for NHS Telford and Wrekin Community Health Services’ Walkabout Wrekin group,
The event was organised by Walkabout Wrekin, to celebrate national Volunteers’ Week and to honour the dedication and commitment of the walk leaders, who lead the free walks across the Telford and Wrekin area.
All walk leaders are accredited through Natural England’s Walking for Health training. For more information on Natural England visit www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk
A special commendation and presentation was made to Mrs Edna Morris, for her nine years long service in leading the weekly Walkabout Wrekin walk at Lilleshall. The walkers meet on Thursdays at 6pm at The Red House in Newport. The Lilleshall walk always welcomes new people to turn up on the day and see what Walkabout Wrekin is all about.
Walkabout Wrekin, is a project run by NHS Telford and Wrekin Community Health Services’ Health Improvement Team. There are over 20 free Walkabout Wrekin walks in the Telford and Wrekin area. The walks aim to be a great way to have fun, whilst improving people’s fitness. Walkabout Wrekin welcomes new people to come along to the walks and take part.
Jenny Stretton, NHS Telford and Wrekin Community Health Services’ Health Promotion Specialist, said: “The project has been running for 10 years, and it is thanks to the wonderful volunteers that it is so successful. This walk was in recognition of their involvement, and to celebrate Volunteer’s Week in Telford.
“Our walk leaders are always welcoming to new people, and are trained to help new beginners through the walks. We are always looking for new volunteers to come forward and lead walks and encourage them to come along to one of our walks and find out more.”
For more information on the walks organised by Walkabout Wrekin, or to find out about the different gradients and which walks are for certain ability levels, visit Walkabout Wrekin or call the Health Improvement Team on 01952 217474.
NHS Telford and Wrekin Community Health Services’ Health Improvement Team organises a range of free and low cost activities across the Telford and Wrekin area. As well as gym and running sessions, the team organises different activities such as Zumba, walking groups and conservation activities, all aiming to show how regular exercise can improve your health and wellbeing and also be fun.
As well as the Walkabout Wrekin project, the Health Improvement Team also runs the Green Gym volunteer environment and conservation programme. Green Gym organises a range of green activities that will benefit the local community, but also be an enjoyable way to do more exercise in the great outdoors. The Green Gym volunteers carried out improvements to the steps and paths in Sutton Woods in 2009 to benefit all walkers.