Starting your own group

How do you start an activity group around a shared interest?

Walking is a strong choice for a beginner-friendly group: plan ahead, tell people, then hold a first meeting. It is inexpensive and safe, and being part of a club can help members stay motivated¹. Promoting walking in groups tends to increase physical activity, and a well-trained volunteer can lead as effectively as a professional².

• Tell people. Start with family, friends and neighbours. Then try social media, ask your employer about a group at work, and advertise through a religious organisation, community centre or neighbourhood bulletin. Put up posters¹.
• Hold a first meeting. Share ideas, set goals, and agree the day, place, time and how far you will walk¹. Encourage members to take turns leading, so the group doesn't depend on one person¹.
• Look for leader training. Ask your local council or health service whether free volunteer walk-leader training is offered. One example covers finding and risk-assessing local walks, promoting a walk, staying motivated and linking with a network of volunteer leaders⁴.
• Keep it friendly. Groups that feel close tend to have members who attend consistently, and leaders who help build that feeling may help people keep coming³. People are often reluctant to approach those they don't know, so making newcomers feel welcome may matter⁵.
• Expect numbers to dip. Interest often fades over time, especially in longer programmes, so keep in touch with members who miss a session⁵.

How do you start an informal exercise group?

Keep it simple: choose an easy, low-cost activity such as walking, spread the word locally and agree when and where to meet. Walking suits almost everyone, needs no specialist equipment, and is a good way to meet people in your neighbourhood⁴.

• Choose the place with care. Pick somewhere well-lit with pavements, such as your neighbourhood or a local school track. Always meet at the same time and place; you can change the route to keep it fun¹.
• Have a backup for bad weather. Walking indoors, for example in a shopping centre, keeps the group going¹.
• Keep sessions short and steady. Walking groups are typically short walks of under an hour, run by trained volunteers, and the social side may help people keep going⁶. One local health walk is described as very steady on good terrain, with hills taken slowly and as many breaks as needed⁷. That lets people at different fitness levels join in.
• Ask about limits. Invite members to say if they have any injuries or limits, and to stop and rest if something hurts.
• Share the leading from the start¹.

How well informal groups work in everyday life isn't clear yet, so start small and adjust as you learn what suits your members².

When to check with a health professional

If you're starting exercise after a long break, it's always a good idea to see your doctor first.

For an injury or a health condition, see a health professional, such as your doctor or a physio.

If your group includes people with long-term conditions or disability, involving a health professional and training your leaders can ease safety concerns⁸. Problems are rare in walking groups⁶.

Call your local emergency number for chest pain or pressure (or pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, especially with sweating or feeling sick), severe breathlessness, fainting or collapse, signs of a stroke, a serious injury, or someone who isn't safe.

For anything else, such as a sore muscle or joint, ease off, and get advice from a doctor or other health professional if it persists or gets worse.