Move Mates Stories: John, John (and Raymond)

John's Move Mate walks have led to him being more confident, trying out new routes and walking further

Our volunteer, John, feels like he is giving something back by volunteering. He has enjoyed working with his first buddy so much that he has now volunteered to walk with a second person.

His first buddy, also called John, was referred to Move Mates by Age UK Durham. He wanted to increase his confidence and physical wellbeing following a stroke and he didn’t feel comfortable going out alone. When he first chatted to our project manager, Hannah, John was not sure he could manage 15 minutes of walking. However, on his first walk with volunteer John, they walked for over 40 minutes. As the weeks have progressed, John has become much more confident and ambitious with his choice of walks. Recently, their weekly walk took them on a route with steep gradients and steps over the East Coast Railway Line on a bridge that John was keen to see. John says that he is much more likely to go outside following his walking with a Move Mate, is using his car less and is full of enthusiasm about trying new, and more challenging routes.

“Life is better. I think about walking a lot and I like planning walks to do with John. I like walking when I can and not using my car all the time like I used to. “

John, participant

“I’m so happy with how well they get on and that they’ve been able to form such a good relationship already. Please thank John for me for doing something amazing, making a great difference to John’s life.“

Laura – Age UK Durham (referrer)

Volunteer John had first heard about Move Mates when he attended the Durham Community Action Volunteer Fair, where he met Hannah, our Durham Project Manager. He was recently retired and wanted something to get him out of the house so he wasn’t ‘watching telly all day’. He was keen to give something back to his community and help others. John feels that Move Mates buddying helps not only with walking and physical activity but with giving people time for company and conversation.

John enjoyed his initial walks and volunteering so much that he jumped at the chance to begin a second pairing with Raymond, who had been referred by the Durham County Council’s Walk Durham Program. Raymond’s walks with John (and Roger the greyhound) are building his confidence to go on longer walks following his stroke, with the ultimate goal of joining in with his village’s Walk Durham walks, following his stroke. The Stroke Association are also supporting Raymond in attending the Gentle Steps to Walking program which is helping to build up Raymond’s physical strength, fitness and coordination. Raymond tells us that he feels a lot more confident when out walking with John and is looking forward to their next walk together.

As in John's case, we often find that volunteers get as much out of volunteering as the people they are paired with do. Volunteering to get out for a walk helps with your physical exercise and volunteering is great for wellbeing too! If you're interested in finding out more about volunteering with Move Mates, have a look at the various volunteer roles available. If you'd like to have a chat about volunteering, get in touch with the project manager in your area.

Share this post