Do you enjoy walking but can’t walk very far or very fast? Do you enjoy walking but have a fear of going out alone, getting lost or falling? Are you too shy or self conscious to join a walking group but would like to meet new people?

Chelmsford Borough Council’s Sports Development Unit and the Heart and Sole Healthy Walks Team have recently created a new FREE initiative titled ‘Welcome to Walking’ to compliment the already successful Heart and Sole programme. We want to pair up individuals who would like to walk, with walking buddies who are trained, qualified walk leaders. All of the walking buddies will be CRB checked. So far there are 3 walking buddies available, including one in the South Woodham Ferrers area. 

All buddies and walkers will be paired up according to location.

As a walker 

• Your buddy will come to your house and accompany you on a walk that lasts 10 – 45 minutes, finishing back at your house
• You can be safe in the knowledge that your buddy will be fully qualified as a Heart and Sole Walk Leader and will be CRB checked
• Your buddy can regularly visit you at any time or day that is mutually agreed
• Your buddy can help you build confidence and widen your social circle
• The route you take will have been risk assessed, so you know it will be safe

As a buddy

• You will receive free Heart and Sole Walk Leader training
• Volunteer to buddy walkers as often as you like
• Feel safe in the knowledge that you are covered fully by public liability insurance
• You will receive regular telephone support from Sports Development
• You will have the option to use your Walk Leader training to lead longer group walks if you wish to do so
• Your Walk Leader training will be valid anywhere in the UK
• You will be making a huge difference to someone else’s wellbeing

If you are interested in having a buddy to accompany you walking, or would like to become a walk buddy, please contact Shelley Woods on 01245 606569, or email to shelley.woods@chelmsford.gov.uk. This initiative is FREE and we want it to be used, so even if you do not require a buddy, please pass this information onto someone who might!