Volunteer with Test Valley Borough Council for National Walking Month

The council is encouraging individuals with spare time to become volunteer walk leaders, guiding others on strolls.

Walking, a simple method of improving health and combatting feelings of loneliness and isolation, is at the heart of these community events. Attendees can get active and explore local areas, free of charge, in company.

Walks range from gentle strolls to brisk exercises, typically taking around 60 minutes and covering two to three miles. For those who require shorter routes, these are usually feasible.

Participants also have the opportunity to socialise over drinks afterwards. The walks aim to promote both physical and mental health.

Mike Tudball, who volunteered to help out when he retired six years ago, said: "I thought it would force me to get some exercise and fresh air. I had no aspirations to lead, but it soon became clear that there’s not much distinction between helping and leading as everyone mucks in and I soon found myself taking turns with the other leaders.

"I actually had no idea until I started doing it how much the walkers appreciate the walks, and I am often told by people that if it weren’t for the health walks they probably would not leave the house. It is quite rewarding to feel that you are doing something that genuinely improves people’s lives."

Richard Wild started doing health walks when bullying at work forced him out of work and to take anti-depressants for about ten months. He said: "Everyone was so friendly and encouraging – so refreshing after my horrific experience at work. I stopped taking my anti-depressants a very few weeks later.

"The walk leader with whom I first walked, Mike Adkins, suggested I might like to become a walk leader. I declined, saying I’d never volunteered for anything in my life. The following week, he suggested it again and, when I declined, he told me that there was a training course coming up, and I could go along and give it a try, which I did. I was hooked."