Walking group promotes active living and community connection

RESIDENTS of the Bellarine are being encouraged to get outside and be active as part of the Active Geelong Walks program.

A partnership between Bellarine Community Health (BCH) and Active Geelong, the program aims to support people to be active with a focus on being accessible for everyone.

Program organisers are looking for more people to join the initiative, wanting to have a regular group size of around 10 to 15 walkers.

Alex Smith started with the group after similar walks he was attending stopped, joining for the health and social aspects of it.

“The social [side] is the main thing, I like the exercise as well, it gets me out and moving,” he said.

“On my own I tend to make excuses, if it’s raining, or cold or hot, if it’s a group I’m more regular and you’ve got a reason to be there and meet people.”

Volunteers are also needed to keep the program running, providing a warm welcome each week and helping to facilitate the group.

Volunteer coordinator Kai Whyte said there are two volunteers on each walk who just need to be able to enjoy being part of a group and encouraging people.

“They need to be a relatively social person and have a common-sense approach to looking out for hazards and just keeping people safe as much as possible.

“In terms of skills, it’s really nothing, just an enjoyment of walking and the ability to chat with people while you’re out walking. ”

All volunteers go through the Heart Foundation, where they provide some basic training, however are not medically trained.

The walkers meet out the front of the Dunes Café in Ocean Grove and walk for an hour each Tuesday, with the direction decided by the group at the time.

Group members will then have the option of sitting down for a coffee and chat at the café.

“We hope that will be where connections are made and where people can feel more part of their community and get to know people in the community,” Ms Whyte said.

The group will commence again in 2025 from January 28.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, contact Kai Whyte on 0436 024 718 or to join the walks, contact Janet Ashton on 0407 555 495.