02/06/2026
Volunteering for Derbyshire MIND
In June 2023 I began helping with fortnightly evening walks at Markeaton Park, Derby. This progressed to facilitating with the fortnightly daily walks at Sinfin Park, Derby.
A group was then set up at Queens Park, Chesterfield. As I live almost equidistance between the two areas I then moved to volunteering on the fortnightly walks at Queens Park.
Throughout all this MIND is a constant support, with someone to help if needed. There are also other events throughout the year that people can volunteer to help with e.g. the ELF run at Christmas, the work at Chatsworth House. Both of which I have supported.
Although the walking groups have diverse people, as many groups do, there is the common thread of wanting to walk and talk. Discussion is extremely varied and may or may not include talk about the challenges some of the participants face. It is entirely their choice what to talk about. Often, there is a collaborative support as individuals have different experiences and pass on their knowledge e.g Did you know? Have you tried?
At Queens Park we have a regular core group, who always Thank us for our time and are obviously appreciative of the volunteer’s time (there are always two volunteers on the walks). The walks appear to have become very instrumental in their well-being. They have expressed an interest in weekly walks.
Some individuals come once and don’t return, some for a while and then are not seen again, some with carers. We don’t know why people come and go, but at the point in time they did walk with us, hopefully it was a stepping stone to finding their way through their current situation.
We support as best we can, we laugh and we have watched the changing seasons at the park.
Supporting any charity is beneficial on both sides. However, for myself, being part of MIND is a very positive experience, and it is very humbling to support people facing difficult situations and challenges in their life. Giving people the opportunity to walk and talk, one morning a fortnight in a less formal environment is a very good use of my time. On most occasions I leave hoping/knowing that someone’s day has started well and for an hour or, so they have been able to enjoy the time and leave feeling more able to cope with challenges that lay ahead.
Christine, Volunteer Walk Leader
https://www.derbyshiremind.org.uk/volunteer/
