Volunteer Walkers Sought for Boston Manor House

If you're interested in the local area and its history and are willing to share

Volunteers are being sought to help support a range of walks that take place around Boston Manor House and the surrounding area.

The role will help meet the goals of providing accessible and interesting experiences, which support good physical and mental health for the local community.

Description of the Volunteer Role:

What you can expect to do in the role:

• Checking a route and familiarising yourself with it before leading the walk
• Welcoming walkers to the walks, particularly new participants
• Giving a brief talk before the walk to make sure everyone is prepared
• Making sure paperwork like registration forms and registers are completed
• Leading and managing walks (usually with other walk leaders) – includes ‘back marking’ or ‘middle marking’ as well as leading at the front
• Making sure walks are welcoming, friendly, enjoyable and safe: following best practice guidelines and the requirements of your group
• Trouble-shooting and dealing with problems on walks, with the support of the Boston Manor House team
• Providing information about other walks offered in the area
• Attending occasional walk leaders’ meetings and refresher training
• Staying in touch with the latest news and guidance from Boston Manor House and Walking for Health

There may be other optional opportunities, e.g. you could have the chance to help develop and risk-assess new walking routes.

We’re looking for people who are:

• Enthusiastic about walking and its benefits
• Interested in Boston Manor House and its local history
• Friendly, welcoming and empowering with good communication skills
• Observant and sensitive to the needs of others
• Knowledgeable about the basics of the benefits of walking and physical activity
• Reliable, punctual, honest and well-organised
• Able to work independently but with guidance and support
• Confident at speaking in front of small groups
• Able to take control and be assertive when needed

What you’ll get:

• Full training with a nationally recognised and well-respected scheme
• Ongoing support and guidance from the Boston Manor House team, your scheme coordinator and Walking for Health
• Access to Walking for Health resources and equipment to help you fulfil your role
• Opportunity to develop your leadership, people management and other skills
• Opportunity to meet new people, including like-minded volunteers
• Opportunity to discover more of your local area and spend time in the outdoors
• Opportunity to be more physically active yourself

After initial training, they are looking for volunteers who are happy to commit to leading at least

one walk every 3 months.
Further to the time commitment of leading walks, also note that you will need to allocate a small amount of additional time to exploring the walk before doing it with a group, travelling to and from the walk, and completing any necessary paperwork.

Training and induction will cover all necessary information relating to the role. On-going training, support and supervision will be available from Boston Manor House staff, Walking for Health and fellow volunteers throughout your volunteering experience. You will also have access to Walking for Health resources and equipment to help you fulfil your role

Applicants must be willing to sign Boston Manor House’s Volunteer Agreement and complete all training required for the role. Please note that this role requires a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check to be completed, which the council will arrange. They will also take up two references.

Closing Date: Monday 10 February 2020

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal interview to discuss the role.

The role will help meet the goals of providing accessible and interesting experiences, which support good physical and mental health for the local community.

Completed application forms can be sent to kate.kulka@hounslow.gov.uk or by post to Kate Kulka, c/o Hogarth’s House, Hogarth Lane, Great West Rd, London W4 2QN

17th December 2019