Move Mates
What is Move Mates?
Our Move Mates project makes getting out for a walk a reality for people who might otherwise find barriers in their way. Our volunteers give people confidence to get out and go for a walk, improving their physical health, reducing isolation and ultimately making people feel happier!
We pair people with one of our trained, friendly, local volunteers to meet regularly for a walk. These regular walks boost people’s confidence as well as improving physical and mental health outcomes.
Move Mates support adults of all ages, in the York area by providing motivation, company and moral support so people are more active and less isolated.
Our wonderful volunteer Move Mates give people the confidence to get out of their houses and go for a walk – for any purpose – where they would usually struggle to do so on their own.
I Want to Request
a Move Mate
If you’re interested in having a Move Mate, please request an information pack using the button below. The information pack provides more detail about eligibility and how to contact your local project.
You can also use the button to request an information pack on behalf of someone else. In this case, you must have their express consent to share their details.
What Happens Next?
We’ll send out a pack either by post or email. This includes information about the project, who is eligible, what to expect, how we use personal data and the commitment we expect from you.
Once you’ve had a chance to look at the information, if you want to go ahead and request a Move Mate, you can contact us using any of the methods in the information pack.
We’ll look for a suitable volunteer for you, based on your location, availability and preferences.
We’ll contact you to set the date and time for your first walk and we’ll check in afterwards to ask you how it went.
I Want to Volunteer
to Become a Move Mate
Are you compassionate, a good communicator and empathetic to people from all walks of life? This could be for you!
Can you give an hour or two a week to walk and talk with someone, and make a 3 month minimum commitment?
What Happens Next?
To complete the volunteer application process:
In the application form you’ll be required to provide your contact details and details of a character reference.
After you complete the form, look out for an email from us. You will be asked to undertake some online training and we will book an ID check with you for the Disclosure Barring Service.
We’ll pair you up with one of our beneficiaries based on your availability and preferences.
“It makes such a big difference to me. I wouldn’t go out if it weren’t for my Move Mate.”
Hazel – Move Mate Beneficiary
Why Would Someone Need a Move Mate?
Social or general anxiety.
Lack of confidence.
Mental health conditions.
Sensory impairments.
Loneliness and social isolation.
Fear of falling.
How Does it Work?
We pair up one of our volunteers with someone for a one-off walk or for a regular, weekly walk. We ask people what they want to achieve through walking and review this with them after three months to decide together if further support is required.
The volunteer meets the person at their front door and accompanies them for a walk. It could be a walk to the local shop or to pick up a prescription, or it could be a walk to an activity or event they want to attend. It could be as simple as walk around the block just to get moving, build confidence and have a chat.
Moves Mates lifts people in so many ways, primarily: Boosting mental wellbeing, improving physical health and decreasing loneliness.
‘A cold but beautiful day to be out. Signs of spring in Museum Gardens and [my Move Mate] noticed the silvery wings of the pigeons as they wheeled above us.’
Eileen – Move Mate
Why We Volunteer
Our volunteers tell us how great volunteering makes them feel and what a positive impact it has on their own lives, that’s before you even consider how wonderful it is to help others.
Start Your Move Mates Project
You can also register your interest as a potential volunteer or referrer in other areas.
Support Us
A regular donation could be the difference between keeping our free services available, or not.
Even a one-off donation is a big deal for us, so please give if you can.
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Thank you! - £5 pays for three volunteer ID cards so our Move Mates can identify themselves to the people they walk with, helping people to feel safe and secure.
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Amazing! - £10 pays for one new volunteer to undergo the checks we need to ensure our Move Mates are the perfect match for the vulnerable people they support.
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That's brilliant! - £15 pays for eight Move Mate welcome packs to be sent out, providing important information to our beneficiaries right from the start.