To encourage more people to be active on a regular basis, Doncaster is developing health walks in the borough in partnership with Doncaster Council, South Yorkshire Community Woodland Rangers, Sue Ryder Care, Norton Health Walks, Woodlands Walking Group, Olive and Denis Wall. These are short organised walks, designed with health in mind, which are perfect for those who would like to become more active or perhaps lack the confidence and knowledge about where to walk.
Health walks in Doncaster are fantastic as they provide you with the opportunity to visit some of the beautiful and interesting areas of Doncaster, meet new people and do some exercise at the same time!!
There are walks to suit all abilities and the Walk Leaders main aim is to ensure that you enjoy being outdoors by pointing out interesting facts along the way. Some of the walks will use the same routes each week in the local area. All walks are free of charge.
You do not need any special clothing for the walks but it is advised to wear shoes that are comfortable, provide good support and don't cause blisters, and a waterproof jacket just in case it rains! If it's a warm day take a bottle of water.
To support these developments, Doncaster is providing training throughout the year to train volunteers to become health walk leaders. At present we have trained mental health support staff, community food educators, dieticians and community active recreation officers in addition to members of the community. This training is open to anyone who is interested in leading Health Walks within Doncaster. The minimum age for training is 18.
The course covers:
Benefits of exercise, motivating people to walk, demonstration health walk, components of a health walk and monitoring safety and effectiveness, physical activity and special conditions, safety, how to lead a walk and essential paperwork.
Upon completion of the full day course, participants will be awarded a certificate recognised by the British Heart Foundation Centre for Physical Activity and Health. All participants are also given a training manual to take home.
The cost is £15 per person, or free of charge for volunteers working with Doncaster residents. There are only 20 places per course on a first come first served basis - so book early!
The course is to be held at Sandall Beat Wood Community Environment Centre.
To book a place, please call Chris Bell on 01302 300798.
| What Day? | Where? | What Time? | More Information |
| Mondays | Dunsville Quarry Park | 10.30am | Meet at the Community Centre, next to the Post Office on High Street in Dunsville. For more details contact 01302 882081. |
| 3rd Monday of every month | Thorne | 10am | Walk location varies with details advertised in the Thorne Gazette. For more details contact 01405 812357. |
| Mondays | Askern | 1.30pm | Meet at Askern Day Centre, Spa Pool Road, Askern. This is a very short, gentle walk. For further details please contact 01302 735150. |
| Tuesdays | Sandall Beat Wood | 10.30am | Meet at the Environment Centre in Sandall Beat Wood, Off Leger Way. A gentle walk by Sue Ryder Care that is suitable for disabled people. For further details contact 01302 300798. |
| Tuesdays | Thorne | 11am | Meet at the Delves Cafe, Selby Road, Thorne, DN8 4JD. For further details please contact 01405 812357. |
| Wednesdays | Armthorpe | 10am | Armthorpe Library, Church Street, Armthorpe, Doncaster, DN3 3AL. For further details please contact 01302 832714. |
| Thursdays | Sandall Beat Wood | 10am | Meet at the Sandall Beat Community Environment Centre, Sandall Beat Wood. For further details contact 01302 300798. |
| Thursdays | Rossington | 10.30am | Meet at the Pavillion on Brodsworth Way, Rossington, DN11 0FD. For further details contact 01302 539398. |
| Thursdays | Woodlands | 1.30pm | Meet at Woodlands All Saints Community Centre, Central Avenue, Woodlands. For further details contact 01302 727209 or 722560. |
| 2nd Sunday of every month | Hatfield Moor | 10am | Meet at Boston Park car park, off the A614, south of HMP Lindholme, opposite the Maize Maze. For further details contact 01302 736000 or 01942 334500. |
| Every Other Sunday | Norton | 10.30am | Please contact us to find out where the walks are taking place on 01302 700772. |
Please find attached below a downloadable copy of this timetable for you to print off.
Details of the 2009 New Year Health Walks will be out soon!
