Volunteers who lead walks around the Borough to combat isolation and promote healthy living were thanked at a special lunch attended by the Mayor of Dartford last week.
The Dartford Borough Council One You Kent team, commissioned by KCC Public Health, run these walks across the Borough, including in the town centre, Swanscombe, Stone and Darenth.
At the start of the year there were eight walk leaders running eight walks. Additional funding from Kent & Medway Every Day Active has allowed the capacity to recruit and train more volunteers to lead on walks. There are now 17 walk leaders and two more walks have started – one at Dartford Heath and another at Peppercorns, a day centre supporting adults with learning disabilities.
More than 1,000 people took part in a Health Walk between July and October, showing the growing demand for free activities that help tackle loneliness and keep people active around Dartford.
In January two new walks will begin at Swanscombe Castle Hill and in Stone. A third will start at The Peppercorns centre early next year. Full details will be published at https://www.dartford.gov.uk/health-wellbeing/health-walks.
Mayor of Dartford Cllr Paul Cutler said: “Health Walks are a great way of bringing people together and seeing some of the great sights Dartford has to offer.
“It’s inspiring to see the work these volunteers do, they’re so proactive and do so much to help bring vulnerable and isolated people into their groups and help them feel included. They’re all so deserving of our thanks and it was great to hear from them last week to hear about all of the great work they do.”
If you're interested in this opportunity and would like more information, call 01322 343067 or visit our page on becoming a volunteer Health Walk Leader or contact oneyou@dartford.gov.uk.