Surrey’s Green Health Scheme: Walk, Garden or Volunteer for Fitness
A £170,000 Boost for Surrey’s Green Spaces
If you have walked the lanes around Horsley or Dorking lately, you will have noticed how quickly the seasons change the feel of the countryside. Now Surrey County Council has launched a scheme that puts that green landscape at the centre of local health. The Green Health and Wellbeing programme has £170,000 behind it, and its aim is simple: encourage people across the county to get active outdoors, whether that means gardening, going on a regular walk or lending a hand with conservation work.
The council has chosen to work through small community organisations rather than large institutions. Community gardens, local walking groups and volunteer conservation teams are the focus, because they already have the trust of residents and often reach people who would never set foot in a gym. The money is designed to help these groups grow, share resources and work more closely together, so that a walking club in Guildford can learn from a conservation team in Woking, for example.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with the Community Foundation for Surrey, which will manage the fund. Mark Nuti, the council’s cabinet member for health and communities, has said that time spent in nature benefits both physical and mental wellbeing, and that investing in community-led projects will help build a stronger Green Health network across the county. For residents, the message is that the local groups you already know may soon have more support to expand.
Why Local Groups Matter to Everyday Residents
Anyone who has joined a Saturday morning litter pick or a weekday ramble knows that these groups are about far more than exercise. They are where neighbours get to know each other, where newcomers find friends and where older residents avoid the isolation that can creep in during the quieter months. The Green Health scheme recognises this, and it is aimed squarely at the small outfits that keep these activities running on volunteer energy and goodwill.
For organisations, the practical benefit could be considerable. Many community gardens and walking groups operate on shoestring budgets, paying for tools, insurance, printing and occasionally a hall hire fee out of their own pockets. Funding that helps them share equipment, run joint events or develop new routes could mean the difference between a group that struggles on and one that thrives. Chief executive Beccy Bowden of the Community Foundation for Surrey has said the aim is to help more residents connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of both green and blue spaces, which include rivers and lakes as well as woodland and heath.
Some projects may also need physical improvements. A village hall, scout hut or community garden shed that serves a walking or gardening group might need a bathroom refurbishment or a kitchen renovation to become more welcoming and usable. Local bathroom fitters and kitchen renovation specialists could find themselves working alongside these groups, so there are opportunities for tradespeople too.
How to Get Involved and What to Watch Next
The good news for residents is that you do not need any special fitness level or gardening experience to take part. Joining an existing walking group is a low-cost way to start, and many run gentle routes suitable for beginners. If you have a garden, you could look into a local community plot, or you might volunteer with a conservation team clearing paths or planting hedgerows. Each of these activities counts as moderate exercise, and they combine it with fresh air and social contact.
If you run a small group yourself, now is a good time to get organised. Make a note of what you need, from equipment and training to insurance and meeting space, and talk to other groups in your area about shared solutions. Funders typically look for clear plans, realistic budgets and evidence of community need, so keeping simple records of attendance and activities will help if you apply later.
As for what comes next, the council and the Community Foundation are expected to set out how grants will be made available and which projects will be prioritised. Local readers should keep an eye on council announcements and community noticeboards for details. The scheme is a useful reminder that Surrey’s countryside is not just scenery to admire from the car. It is a resource that can be used every day, and the people who look after it are increasingly being given the backing they deserve.
Source: People in Surrey urged to walk or volunteer to improve fitness
