An Away Day to remember

Volunteers’ Week  (1 - 7 June)  is an annual event which celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK.

One of the best ways to retain and celebrate volunteers is to reward their dedication with a ‘thank you’ event that recognises them and highlights the importance of their work. South Shropshire recently did this so well and so effectively that their Walk Leaders’ Away Day deserves to act as a blueprint for other WfH schemes.

The day was pitched just right - a good programme of speakers/activities, great atmosphere and delightful social occasion. It showed how well a local scheme can organise an inspiring event.
Alison Williams, WfH Lead Adviser, West Midlands

Each of the four components below was a vital and interconnected part of making the event successful.

• Organising the day
• Speakers and agenda
• Participants
• Venue

WfH would like to encourage other areas to put on similar events. If your scheme or region has run a successful volunteers’ day recently, let us know so that we can spread good practice.

Organising the day

The day – on 17^th May - was organised by Ian Pearmain, WfH co-ordinator for South Shropshire, who works for Mayfair Community Centre in Church Stretton.

I planned it with the help of my manager who has experience of charitable community events. We were fortunate enough to have some funds in the budget and wanted to really treat and thank the volunteers – they are fantastic and we knew it would be a very good use of the money.
Ian Pearmain, WfH co-ordinator for South Shropshire

Ian did plenty of PR activity in advance of the event.  His work paid off in terms of good media coverage including a local radio article on the day.

The event achieved a fine balance between being a sociable celebration and an informative day with a formal agenda.

An inspiring day!
Feedback from volunteer

Speakers and agenda

Choosing a good, authoritative speaker to open the event really set the tone of the day. Hearing the fundamentals of our walk leader training day being spoken by a Director of Public Health was refreshing and added real kudos to the initiative.’
Alison Williams, WfH Lead Adviser, West Midlands

1. Professor Rod Thomson, Director of Public Health, Shropshire PCT, opened the event by talking about the relevance of WfH to the health of Shropshire citizens and the future of health services nationally and locally.  A passionate walker himself, Professor Thomson emphasised the value of walking, health issues in Shropshire, how health walks are meeting prevention and rehabilitation needs and where they fit in with health delivery in the county.

We aimed high and decided that Rod would be the ideal person to start the day. We are fortunate in that he is the boss of the person responsible for Physical Activity at the PCT who oversees the work of Shropshire’s three WfH co-ordinators
Ian Pearmain, WfH co-ordinator for South Shropshire

Professor Thomson set all present the challenge of recruiting one new walker. 

2. Bob Laventure – BHF National Centre for Activity and Health, Loughborough University, presented an excellent workshop on motivating walkers. Bob demonstrated ways in which walk leaders can get the best out of walkers by effectively encouraging them to start walking and to continue. Participants learned practical skills of engaging with people in a way that motivates but doesn’t pressurise.

Bob was recommended to me by my boss and our Physical Activity Lead. He has been connected with WfH nationally since its inception. Bob led a very dynamic session, got people moving and had them talking to each other and finding out, for example, what stops you getting out for a walk?’
Ian Pearmain, WfH co-ordinator for South Shropshire

3. Buffet lunch - a 'thank you' treat

4. Mike Kelly (River Valleys Officer) and Jodie Griffith (Project Officer) Shropshire Hills AONB talked about what makes the AONB special, what species are protected and what to look out for. They introduced a different element into the value of health walks and touched on sustainability, tourism and celebrating the Shropshire landscape.

WfH locally has contact with the AONB through ‘Walking for Wellbeing’ which is based in the Shropshire Hills. Mike and Jodie gave participants additional information about the area that feeds the imagination and can add to the walks and enrich the community.’
Ian Pearmain, WfH co-ordinator for South Shropshire

5. Afternoon walks through the grounds of Walcot Hall which cover 30 acres and include one of the finest arboretums in Britain as well as hidden surprises such as a Russian Dacha, tin chapel, shepherd’s hut and yurt. Participants were given a map and could choose to walk on their own or join a walk led by Ian.

6. Tea and cake as well as precious time to chat and network with other walk leaders.

7. Completion of feedback sheets.

 Informative and very useful in making contacts.
Feedback from volunteer

Participants

All walk leaders in South Shropshire were invited (approximately 60 people) and about half of those invited took part. Ian then opened the event up to the rest of Shropshire and another 20 walk leaders came forward.

Partners including Shropshire County Primary Care Trust, Shropshire Council, Mayfair Community Centre and Natural England were also represented.

Venue

The event was held in the impressive ballroom at Walcot Hall, a private country estate dating back to Tudor times.

 I asked around about where to host it and settled on Walcot Hall which was grand, affordable and a fantastic setting.
Ian Pearmain, WfH co-ordinator for South Shropshire

Ian also chose the venue because it is close to Bishop’s Castle where, as yet, there are no health walks. He thought it might encourage people from there and was pleased that two people involved in Bishop’s Castle ‘Walkers are Welcome’ initiative came along.

 It would be hard to find a better venue. A very well run event.’
Feedback from volunteer

BHF National Centre, Loughborough

Shropshire Hills AONB

Shropshire County PCT

Mayfair Community Centre

Volunteers Week