RESIDENTS of the Bellarine are being encouraged to get outside and be active as part of the Active Geelong Walks program.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Program organisers are looking for more people to join the initiative, wanting to have a regular group size of around 10 to 15 walkers.<\/p>\n
Alex Smith started with the group after similar walks he was attending stopped, joining for the health and social aspects of it.<\/p>\n
“The social [side] is the main thing, I like the exercise as well, it gets me out and moving,” he said.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Volunteers are also needed to keep the program running, providing a warm welcome each week and helping to facilitate the group.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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. ”<\/p>\n
All volunteers go through the Heart Foundation, where they provide some basic training, however are not medically trained.<\/p>\n
The walkers meet out the front of the Dunes Caf\u00e9 in Ocean Grove and walk for an hour each Tuesday, with the direction decided by the group at the time.<\/p>\n
Group members will then have the option of sitting down for a coffee and chat at the caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
The group will commence again in 2025 from January 28.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n