Devon charity seeks volunteers to help people get active!

Do you enjoy staying active, particularly through outdoor pursuits? Independent charity Devon Communities Together is encouraging all active over 50s in Devon to help others in their community get active.

Devon Communities Together is a delivery partner of the Connecting Actively to Nature (CAN) project, which aims to support over 55s in Devon to discover the combined benefits of a more active lifestyle, with the psychological benefits that being outdoors in nature bring. The CAN project is funding the creation of a range of active in nature projects including guided walks, orienteering, outdoor tai chi, and wild swimming.

Devon Communities Together is now recruiting volunteer ambassadors for the CAN project and is encouraging anyone over the age of 50 with a keen interest in keeping active and/or nature to get in touch.

Dr Louise MacAllister, Project Manager from Devon Communities Together, explains: “CAN volunteer ambassadors will receive a regular bulletin from Devon Communities Together on the project activities in your area, and the volunteer role is to signpost and support members of your community to engage with these activities. There is the opportunity to get involved in many additional ways, for example by attending, helping with CAN activities, taking pictures or videos of activities, or blogging about your experience as a CAN volunteer.

The volunteer role is flexible and offers many benefits such as volunteer networking events and celebrations, and the opportunity to attend a wide range of training sessions. You will receive a volunteer induction and plenty of ongoing support from Devon Communities Together as well as Active Devon.”

We’re pleased to have received this wonderful quote from a current CAN volunteer:

“I’ve lived in the community for years but I never felt part of the community until I became a Connecting Actively to Nature volunteer.

“It has made me feel so much happier and I have met so many lovely people that I really feel a part of the community now.”

If you would like to find out more about becoming a CAN volunteer, please email: louise.macallister@devoncommunities.org.uk or call on 01392 248919, Ext.7180 for an informal chat.

Connecting Actively to Nature is a project operated by Devon’s Local Nature Partnership, which was awarded £500,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England to deliver an exciting 5 year programme that will support older people in Devon and Torbay to connect actively to nature.