Would you like to help people enjoy the countryside, meet new friends and improve their health?

Step it Up Highland is a project which aims to promote walking to improve health and well-being for everyone, especially people who are less physically active. We have walk groups all over Highland who go out once a week for low level, accessible walks at a pace to suit the slowest and usually lasting 20 mins to one hour. The walks are led by trained volunteers and always end with a drink and a chat in a local café. They are free, friendly and open to anyone.

At the moment we are looking for volunteer walk leaders to set up a new walking group based in Portree. This is a great volunteering opportunity for friendly, outgoing people with an enthusiasm for walking and the outdoors and a desire to share their passion with others, while accommodating the needs of all members of the group. Volunteers need to be able to commit to a couple of hours to lead walks at the same time each week, usually during the day. SIUH will arrange an initial one day walk leader training course with further training offered at a later stage, and will reimburse expenses. On going support is provided by the scheme Co-ordinator, and new walk leaders are welcomed into our Highland-wide team of volunteers. SIUH will also help in the early stages with setting up the walk group and recruiting walkers.

Walk leader tasks include:

• Meeting and greeting other volunteers and participants
• Attending suitable training
• Ensuring safety of walking participants and other leaders
• Ensuring registers, health questionnaires and other paperwork is completed and returned.
• Taking appropriate emergency action
• Assessing risks both on new routes and during planned walks
• Advising walkers of hazards
• Informing SIUH of any issues that arise
• Carrying appropriate equipment
• Responding to walkers requests
• Giving advice on routes
• Promoting SIUH to groups and individuals
• Helping to recruit new walkers and walk leaders

They are also on the look out for walkers to join in, and hope to get a group up and running (or rather walking!) this summer. If you are interested or know anyone who might be, please get in touch with Penny Lawson at SIUH, 01463 729997, walking@stepituphighland.org.uk.    For more about our health walks across Highland visit www.stepituphighland.org.uk