Meet the walk leaders

Most people are aware of the physical benefits of walking for exercise, but did you know that group walks can also positively impact your mental and social wellbeing? And opportunities to get involved are right on your doorstep!

Lincolnshire Co-op supports over 60 walks across eight areas which are expertly run by more than 230 walk leaders.

Ray Holloway and Andy Coward work together running the Navenby and Waddington Wellbeing Walks. As walk leaders, they’re tasked with co-ordinating the events, finding new trails to explore, and ensuring each walk is safe, accessible, and enjoyable for attendees.

According to Andy, as long as they finish the walk with the same amount of people who started, they’ve done their job! After having recently moved away from the area, Andy continues to make the journey back twice each week for the walks.

“I’m definitely loyal to the group and the friends I’ve made here” Andy says, “We started off with a core team of about five or six walkers. Over the years we’ve grown immensely and now we sometimes have up to 30 attendees, and that doesn’t include the dogs! We’re sometimes faced with muddy conditions, but we battle through it together as a team.”

Ray says, “Even over lockdowns we all stayed in touch and checked on each other. This just shows that the group is about so much more than walking, we’re a small community in our own right and we support each other in any way we can.

"As one of the walk leaders, I act as a point of contact and familiar face for people who want to come along. I’m also responsible for monitoring the pace of each walk and checking everyone is getting on okay. People of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of fitness are welcome, and there’s no commitment to come to every walk. Just pop along whenever you like – we’ll be here!”

Find more information about our Wellbeing Walks here.