Every day, throughout Britain, Ramblers volunteers are opening the way for everyone, protecting the places we love to roam, and helping people experience the pleasures and benefits of walking. Volunteers’ Week (3-9 June 2024) is our chance to shine a spotlight on their work and say thank you. So, meet five of our 25,000 wonderful volunteers… 

 

Saving lost ways 

Sam Holmes from London is an archive digitisation volunteer for the Ramblers’ Don’t Lose Your Way project to save forgotten footpaths 

What does your role involve?  

I photograph historical maps in The National Archives in Kew, London, for fellow volunteers across the country, providing the vital evidence needed to save historic rights of way before they are lost forever.  

What do you do when not volunteering?  

I work in photography but am completing a Masters in heritage, with hopes of moving into that sector. Outside of work, I’m a keen walker and quite music-oriented.  

When and why did you become a Ramblers volunteer?  

I’ve been volunteering for just over a year. Walking is such an important activity in so many ways, but it’s not always as accessible as one might think, so I was keen to help any way I could. My Masters dissertation focuses on walking, so I figured the two would complement one another.  

What are the most rewarding aspects?  

Knowing I’m having an impact on accessibility and people’s experiences of the countryside.  

And your proudest achievement?  

Don’t Lose Your Way has already saved tens of thousands of miles of footpaths. Contributing to that feels pretty special. 

Any challenges or frustrations? 

Handling old documents, especially those in poor condition, can be nerve-racking. One, on very thin paper, required a complete unbinding before carefully being reassembled.  

How does your volunteering help more people enjoy the benefits of walking?  

Ultimately, it enables them to go walking. We have such limited access to the English countryside, and more privatisation would mean even fewer paths and less experience of rural places.  

Any funny stories? 

The archives open late twice a week, which is when I tend to go. Too many times I’ve got my days wrong and shown up just as they’re closing! 

Where are your favourite places to ramble? 

The South Downs – I did my first long hike there and my dissertation is on the South Downs Way. I also enjoy the quiet of the Shropshire Hills, near my parents’ home, and I love the Lakes.  

What do you always carry in your backpack?  

Food, water and a camera.  

Any advice for would-be volunteers?  

Find a role that interests you and go for it! The Ramblers team are incredibly helpful. 

 

Keeping people healthy 

Sue Lee is a volunteer walk leader and coordinator for Step Out Sheffield, part of the Ramblers Wellbeing Walks programme  

What does your role involve?  

I support 120 volunteers who deliver Step Out Sheffield’s 25 weekly walks. I also train new walk leaders, answer the helpline and update the website, organise quarterly volunteers’ meetings and deliver refresher training.  

What do you do when you’re not volunteering? 

I like pottering in my garden and allotment, walking with friends in the Peak District, and walking holidays – I’ve trekked in Nepal and the Andes.  

When and why did you become a Ramblers volunteer? 

For nine years, I was employed by Sheffield City Council to develop health walks. When I retired in 2012, I continued supporting three nearby walks as a volunteer. In 2016, Step Out Sheffield lost local authority funding and the walks looked set to finish. The walkers and leaders wanted them to continue – all they were missing was a coordinator, so I stepped up.  

What are the most rewarding aspects of volunteering? 

It’s wonderful watching new walkers join a group and become part of that community, enjoying the mental and physical benefits. As a trainer, it’s also rewarding supporting people in challenging circumstances into a volunteering role and then paid employment. 

And your proudest achievements? 

The smooth transition from a local authority-supported programme to an entirely volunteer-led programme. Also, keeping walkers and volunteers active and socially engaged into later life – we have several in their nineties. And representing Step Out Sheffield when we won the Ramblers Award for Innovation in 2017.  

Any challenges or frustrations? 

I find it frustrating that volunteers and volunteer organisations are rarely taken seriously. Step Out Sheffield has a huge range of expertise across its membership.  

How does your volunteering help more people enjoy the benefits of walking? 

By fostering camaraderie and inclusion and making people feel they are part of a walking ‘family’.  

Any funny stories? 

Two ladies, chatting on one of our walks, followed the wrong person in front of them – all the way to her back door!  

Where are your favourite places to ramble? 

Lathkill Dale and the ridge between Mam Tor and Lose Hill, both in the Peak District.  

What do you always carry in your backpack? 

An umbrella.  

Any advice for other would-be Ramblers volunteers? 

Look behind you regularly while with a group, even if you’re the backmarker. 

 

Improving access 

Elaine Collins from Cardenden, Fife, is an access volunteer, maintaining and upgrading paths, developing routes, addressing access issues and representing Ramblers Scotland on the Fife Access Forum  

What does your volunteering role involve?  

Various tasks – from cutting back overgrowth to liaising with landowners to exploring funding opportunities. I also check local routes and investigate problems reported by path users.  

What do you do when not volunteering?  

I’m a keen walker, cyclist, wild swimmer and skier, and I coordinate a walking club. 

When and why did you become a Ramblers volunteer?  

When I took early retirement, I spent more time walking and saw that a lot of paths were neglected and overgrown or blocked.  

What’s the most rewarding aspect?  

Seeing previously unwalkable routes being used, and the enjoyment people get from them.  

And your proudest achievement? 

Upgrading a core path that had become a quagmire. After consulting with the landowner and acquiring funding from local businesses, I coordinated the path’s redefinition, with a new aggregate surface, a fence to protect from livestock and user-friendly gates. The landowner upgraded an adjoining section, so we finished with 400m of lovely path. 

Any challenges or frustrations?  

It’s always a challenge acquiring funding and getting landowners onside. Maintaining routes requires regular input during growing season, and Scottish weather is… interesting!  

How does your volunteering help people enjoy walking? 

Creating, clearing, maintaining and publicising local routes means walkers are more likely to explore the area.  

Any funny stories?  

The community wanted a bench at the top of a steep slope, but I couldn’t get permission for one without agreeing to an intense maintenance schedule. A farmer transported a huge stone with a flat top to the top of the slope and – hey presto! – a ready-made, maintenance-free seat, which blends beautifully into the countryside. 

Where are your favourite places to ramble? 

I love forest walks. 

What do you always carry in your backpack?  

Mini secateurs, retractable saw, gloves, litter bag and water.  

Any advice to would-be volunteers?  

Start small by trimming overgrown vegetation. Find out if there are other volunteer groups or like-minded people in your community. Check out Ramblers’ support for volunteer tasks, for example public liability insurance. And never give up! Watch Elaine talking about her volunteering: bit.ly/RamblersVolunteering_Elaine 

 

Enhancing routes

Jamie Lewis-Smith from Mold, Flintshire, is still a teenager and already an award-winner for his path maintenance volunteering work with Ramblers Cymru 

What does your volunteering role involve?  

Helping to improve footpaths and install gates, benches, waymarkers, etc. 

What do you do when you’re not volunteering?  

I enjoy working (I run a garden maintenance and tree services business) and being out on my bike. 

When and why did you become a Ramblers volunteer?  

I first volunteered in 2022 with Ramblers Cymru’s Paths to Wellbeing project, as I love to be outdoors and helping to make a difference in the community.  

What’s the most rewarding aspect of volunteering?  

It’s always satisfying to see a job finished. 

And what is your proudest volunteering achievement?  

Winning the Ramble and Scramble Award for my work as a young volunteer at the Ramblers Cymru Awards in Cardiff last year.  

Any challenges or frustrations? 

I’ve had a few challenging days putting in gates when we encountered rock and metal in the ground. However, we always powered on to get the job done.  

How does your volunteering help more people enjoy the benefits of walking? 

By improving and maintaining walking routes, I help people to stay safe and enjoy the Welsh countryside.  

Where’s your favourite place to ramble?  

I often go up Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range. 

What do you always carry in your backpack?  

Water and a raincoat.  

Any advice for other would-be Ramblers volunteers?  

If you’re thinking of getting involved, definitely get out there and help in the community. It’s so much fun and you’ll also make new friends along the way. 

 

Solving path problems 

Chitra Ramachandran, area footpath secretary for Greater Manchester and High Peak, liaises with volunteer footpath officers and local authorities to tackle path problems and enhance the rights of way network  

What does your volunteering role involve?  

I support and coordinate local footpath officers and work closely with local authorities and landowners. Ramblers footpath volunteers play a key role in identifying issues and bringing them to the notice of councils and highways authorities to keep paths walkable.  

What do you do when not volunteering?  

I work as a chartered accountant and volunteer with the Green Party. My husband and I spend all our spare time walking.  

When and why did you become a Ramblers volunteer?  

While in the Lake District last April, I met an amazing walk leader, Barry Brook, scoping a walk for a Ramblers group. I was inspired to research volunteering opportunities with the Ramblers, found the advertisement for footpath secretary… and the rest is history!  

What are the most rewarding aspects? 

I’m making a meaningful contribution to my community, safeguarding paths for everyone to enjoy. I also like the problem-solving and the troubleshooting aspects.  

Any challenges or frustrations? 

From raising an issue to getting it resolved can take a year for minor problems with path furniture, and several years for matters such as obstructions and erosion.  

How does your volunteering help more people enjoy the benefits of walking?  

It helps protect our brilliant path network, which supports people to get out walking.  

Where are your favourite places to ramble? 

Macclesfield Forest, close to home, and holidays in the Lake District.  

What do you always carry in your backpack?  

A power bank to charge my phone. 

Any advice for other would-be Ramblers volunteers? 

It’s worth it – jump in! 

 

Fancy following in the footsteps of Sam, Sue, Elaine, Jamie or Chitra? There’s a Ramblers volunteering role for everyone, whatever your background, abilities or availability. Find out more at ramblers.org.uk/support-us/volunteer-opportunities.