Portsmouth City Council is celebrating 20 years of its ‘Wellbeing Walks’ scheme.
Originally set up in 2004 to help local people start exercising, the walks have since evolved into a weekly opportunity for people who might otherwise be on their own, to get out of the house, chat and make friends, while also being in the fresh air and getting to know their local area.
Many people describe how the walks have changed their lives, helped them to feel less lonely, make new friends and build a new life for themselves. There are currently 375 active walkers, with walks available seven days a week at different locations across the city, for varying ability levels – so there is an option to suit everyone.
The walks are overseen by the council’s Independence and Wellbeing team, but are led by volunteers, many of whom started out as participants themselves.
Once such volunteer is Liz, from Southsea, who has been part of Wellbeing Walks since it first began in 2004, having just recently moved to Portsmouth from Cardiff. Alongside her career as a social worker, Liz quickly became a walk leader and a trainer for others. As well as the walks, Liz organises a full events schedule for the walkers and their partners and friends including meals out, cinema trips and an annual Christmas meal for around 100 people. She was recently shortlisted for the Portsmouth Inspiring Volunteer Awards in the ‘Love of Portsmouth’ category for ‘her devotion to countless hours of volunteering, making a significant impact on the lives of many, and whose dedication and love of Portsmouth shines brightly.’
Liz said: “I have always done voluntary work alongside my working life – I started volunteering for the PDSA at 15 and have continued volunteering in many capacities up to my age now. I like to help people and find it beneficial to me – it has taught me many things.
“I would encourage anybody to come on our long or short walks whatever abilities they have. We have flat walks that are easier for different walking abilities or wheelchairs.”
Husband and wife, John and Beryl, volunteer as walk leaders together. John recalls another walk leader who inspired him: “There was a man who led the walks who lived till he was more than 100 – he abseiled off the Spinnaker Tower, did a skydive. Seeing him doing the walk leading was my inspiration.
“A lot of people who are on their own might not want to walk on their own, but with a group they’re quite happy to. It’s great, people come along and they want to come back – and you see the improvement in their health and they also like to socialise afterwards.”
“And it’s just as good for our mental health as it is for the walkers,” Beryl added.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, cabinet member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care, said: “I’d like to congratulate Wellbeing Walks on reaching this amazing milestone and look forward to another 20 years of this project which has clearly benefited so many. I’d like to thank the volunteers, in particular, who give their time freely every week and without whom the walks would not be possible. I would encourage anyone who is on their own and would like to get out and make friends to look into Wellbeing Walks and the other activities offered by our independence and wellbeing team.”
Details of social activities for adults in Portsmouth, including Wellbeing Walks, can be found at: portsmouth.gov.uk/social
