Call for Park Active volunteers
Free exercise instructor training is being offered to people who volunteer at Dudley Council’s popular Park Active sessions.
Park Active classes, which give people the chance to do outdoor circuit-based workouts, are now back up and running at three parks in the borough.
Sessions run at Stevens Park in Wollescote, Stevens Park in Quarry Bank and Grange Park in Dudley every weekend and it is hoped new volunteers will also help the activity to resume at Abbey Street in Gornal and Buffery Park in Kates Hill.
Volunteers can pick what weekends they would like to volunteer and can select their location from participating parks, although volunteers for Dudley and Gornal are needed the most urgently.
Leaders will deliver community workouts as part of a team of volunteers and will undertake two days of fitness training and emergency first aid. Supporters will assist the leader, advising on correct technique and motivating and encouraging participants.
Volunteers will receive access to free training opportunities including first aid, safeguarding and fitness qualifications, as well as a free badged kit for those leading sessions.
Volunteers need to attend one Outdoor Activator training day and one Big Community Workout training day. Outdoor Activators Level 1 training takes place 12 June and 10 July. Big Community Workout Level 2 training is on 13 June and 11 July. Further training dates are planned for April 2022.
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member elect for health and adult social care, said:
These fantastic circuit classes give people the chance to exercise in the great outdoors and we are delighted to have them back up and running as restrictions relax.
We would like to get Abbey Street’s and Buffery’s back up and running too and we urgently need volunteers in Dudley. By taking part volunteers will receive training and gain experience in leading fitness classes.
Sessions take place every Saturday at 9.45am in Stevens Park, Wollescote. On Sundays, people can attend the sessions at Grange Park, Dudley, at 10am, or Stevens Park, Quarry Bank, at 11am.
The classes are family friendly, with participants able to work at their own level. The activity is free of charge to the public, suitable for all ages and abilities and follows the latest COVID-19 guidance.
People can find out more online: www.lets-get.com/park-active