Set Up a WIYC group
A Walking In Your Community Group is a group of people from a local area who are keen to come together to do some physical exercise in the outdoors. It could be an existing group/association or a new group could be formed specifically for the purpose of walking.
Why Set Up a Walking In Your Community Group?
There are a wide range of benefits for setting up and running a walking group:
- It’s free for group members
- It encourages people to be more physically active that will give them health benefits
- It brings people together of different backgrounds for a common purpose
- It encourages a sense of community
- It promotes morale in your area - a walking group is a social as well as an activity group
- Walking helps support positive mental health
Who Should Set Up a Walking In Your Community Group?
Usually the lead person to set up a Walking In Your Community Group would be:
- A community group leader
- A volunteer from a community group with an interest in walking
- A volunteer with an interest in walking in a club, business or other orgnanisation
Ideally the person trained to lead the group (Community Walk Leader) would aspire to have the following qualities:
- Positive and friendly person
- Good communicator and organiser
- Good knowledge of walks, walking and the local area
Next Steps
There are two options:
-
You are part of an established community group, association or club
- Check the interest level for a walking group
- Check if the group leadership agree that you are the person they want to lead on the development of a walking group
- Check if you meet the criteria for Community Walk Leader
- Submit an application form online
-
You are not part of an established community group, association or club
- Assess the interest in your local community for a walking group. At least 20 people with a confirmed interest would be the minimum level of interest to indicate a potentially successful group
- Check if you meet the criteria for Community Walk Leader
- Submit an application form online