Friends of Hednesford Park

The Friends of Hednesford Park are a passionate group of volunteers determined to provide a variety of free events in Hednesford Park to bring their community together. The Chase Fit project provides a group of volunteers to support all ages and all abilities to make friends and feel safe on a delightful 40 minute walk around Hednesford Park, there are volunteers that walk at different paces so that everyone feels they are part of the group, increasing wellbeing and social interaction. The walk incorporates part of the Cannock Chase Heritage Trail, The Museum of Cannock Chase, Hednesford War Memorial and parts of Hednesford Park people don’t usually see.

Staffordshire County Council - Cannock Chase County Park

Cannock Chase County Park is one the largest country parks in England, the site of Marquise Drive host a Café, small gift shop, toilet facilities and Great War Hut. This site is ran by Staffordshire County Council.

Staffordshire County Council – Libraries

Your local library offers many services for all ages, from reading to baby bounce and rhyme. Find out what you can do at your local library.

Forestry Commission

The Forestry Commission run the Birches Valley Forest site. There is a wide range of activities for all the family including signposted walks, bike routes, children play area and families’ activities. There is also a fantastic café for refreshments.

Cannock Chase (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)

In England and Wales, there is a huge variety of scenery and landscapes, from dramatic coasts to remote mountains. Those landscapes considered most valuable are designated as National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). These landscapes are protected by law and managed to maintain their special character for now and the future. Cannock Chase was designated as an AONB in 1958 because of its beautiful landscape, its wildlife and its history. Cannock Chase is the largest surviving area of lowland heathland in the Midlands. Lowland heath is an internationally scarce and threatened wildlife habitat.

The AONB also has extensive areas of forest and woodland along with areas of designed parkland, sand and gravel quarrying and mixed agriculture. There is a Management Plan to ensure that this special place is kept stunning and special. Lots of local people and organisations are involved in managing the process of conserving the area, as we all have a vested interest in securing its future for our continued enjoyment.

If you visit the AONB please consider the amount of time and effort that is taken into conserving and enhancing the area. Help us by keeping onto designated paths, not dropping your litter and going to the signposted visitor centres. By keeping the AONB in superb condition it keeps it a pleasant and happy place for you and your family to come for future years.

Chase and District Ramblers

Chase & District Ramblers Group offer local outdoor enthusiasts a variety of volunteer led walks in Staffordshire and adjoining counties every Sunday throughout the year.

If you enjoy Chase Fit level 4 walks and would like to progress further why not get in touch with ourselves and give us a try for free. Our pace is leisurely and we always take a couple of refreshment breaks during the walks which range up to ten miles and are graded either as easy, moderate, or strenuous depending on the terrain. There is something for everyone within our programme from short evening walks to weekends away.

As part of the nationwide Ramblers organisation membership also entitles you to discounts at certain outdoor stores and the opportunity to walk with over 500 Ramblers groups nationwide.

 Cannock Chase Countryside Service

The Countryside Service runs a weekly volunteer group meeting at Deavalls Farm, Hawks Green Lane Cannock, WS11 7LP on Fridays.

The volunteer group is open to adults wanting to help out on the nature reserves. Over the course of the year the group works on a range of countryside management tasks across the sites including everything from woodland coppicing and heathland management to footpath maintenance. The days run from 9:30am to approx. 3:30pm. All tools and training is provided by the Countryside staff. We recommend outdoor clothing, sturdy boots and bring a packed lunch to those wanting to attend. We also provide bespoke volunteer days for community and corporate groups by prior arrangement. We can cater for small groups who wish to get involved in one off tasks and activities.

Rugeley Runners

Founded in 1984 as Rugeley & District Athletic Club, Rugeley Runners is your local, friendly running club. The club caters for all abilities from beginners through to experienced runners. We meet at Rugeley Cricket Club (Chaseley Road, WS15 2LQ) every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:20pm. Yearly Memberships are payable after a 1-month free trial at a cost of £15 - £25 per year depending on membership level.

Cannock Wood and Gentleshaw Gardening Club

We are a friendly garden club with members from all around the local area. We welcome everybody with an interest in gardening, whether complete beginner or veteran – you don’t have to be an expert! Please visit our website for further details.

Museum of Cannock Chase

The museum site was once home to the Valley Colliery, the training pit for thousands of young men beginning their working lives in the local coal industry. The pit has gone and in its place, are over 30 acres of green space on the edge of Cannock Chase, at the gateway to the Hednesford Hills Nature Reserve. Today the hills form one of the last remaining areas of heathland in Britain. With free entry and a year-round programme of activities it is a great day out for the family!  The Museum of Cannock Chase is packed with fascinating stories for all the family. Learn about...

• Cannock Chase's industrial beginnings
• Its important military role
• Famous local citizens
• Local life - and wildlife

Friends of Etchinghill

The hill is managed by a Charitable Trust number 522717 details can be found on the Charity Commission Web Site Click here. They are supported by D.E.F.R.A., The Cannock Chase A.O.N.B. Sustainable Development Fund, The Countryside Agency and ourselves The Friends of Etching Hill.

Our Aims are:

• To Work and communicate with all relevant bodies to keep the hill and playing field area clean and tidy
• To protect against vandalism
• To work in conjunction with the trustees to manage the hill in a manner that will control the invasive growth of trees, plants and shrubs and to keep the bridleways and pathways accessible
• To promote the area’s history and wildlife
• To encourage people to use and appreciate the area
• To seek funding and support
• To help bring our community together to “Love where you Live”

The Friends of Etching Hill regularly organise work parties to keep Etching Hill clean and tidy with Litter Picks, path maintenance and scrub clearing. Several times a year guest speaker are invited to talk to the friends on related subjects to the work that is done on Etching Hill.

All are welcome to join The Friends of Etching Hill, young and old, we are a welcoming group and are grateful for any volunteer support on our work activities or just support by spreading the word of the work that the group do and achieve.

Chase Fit wants to ensure all our participants are safe. There's also some guidelines we need to follow to help protect our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - Cannock Chase and the other natural places we use. Please read the following. We apologies in advance if they're obvious!

• Any health concerns or conditions? Please consult your GP to check you're ok to participate.
• Wear suitable footwear and clothing for the activity in a natural environment.
• If you're with a group, always have a leader or part of the group in sight!
• If alone on Cannock Chase, notice way-markers, so you don't get lost!
• Always keep to the designated routes and pathways.
• Be considerate to all other users.
• Never disturb flora or fauna or wildlife.
• Take litter home or use bins.
• Never approach animals without owner's consent, including dogs!
• For dog walkers, please follow this advice. Click Here

We want to keep you, the community of Cannock Chase and our staff and volunteers safe, we ask you to follow the below points:

• You will need to register with us before attending any of our activities.
• It is now essential that you book on to each activity.
• We are working with NHS Track and Trace regarding who has attended our sessions.
• Numbers on sessions are capped.
• Social Distancing is always to be undertaken, please ensure you are 2m away from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble.
• Please wash your hands prior attending an activity and carry hand sanitiser with you.
• First Aid will not be administered by volunteers - we advise bring your own first aid kit.
• Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before the activity starts.
• Please leave as soon as the activity has finished.
• There is no Chase Fit social refreshments after our activities, if you wish to have a refreshment with friends this is done independently.

Registration Form

Chase Fit walking scheme would not be able to run without the wonderful volunteers that we have delivering walks. There are a number of volunteering opportunities available with the walking scheme.

Walk Leader Skills

• Leader, friendly, observant, reliable, enthusiastic, love walking
• Lead Health Walks in the Cannock Chase district
• Ensure all walks are welcoming, friendly, enjoyable, safe and effective
• Complete relevant paper work e.g.: walk register
• Liaise with Chase Fit Coordinator
• Attend development training and walk meetings
• Develop leadership skills
• Chance to meet new people
• Discover more of your local area and spend time being physically active
• Walking toolkit
• Training: Walking for Health Walk Leader Training and Emergency First Aid etc

Walk Assistant Skills

• Leader, friendly, observant, reliable, enthusiastic, love walking
• Assist walk leaders in running walks
• Ensure walks are welcoming, friendly, enjoyable, safe and effective
• Support walk leaders with walking paper work
• Attend walk meetings
• Develop interpersonal skills
• Chance to meet new people
• Discover more of your local area and spend time being physically active
• Walking tool kit
• Training if wanted, e.g.: Emergency First Aid, Dementia Awareness

Walk Administration Skills

• Admin knowledge, reliable
• Data entry into walking for health database
• Liaise with Chase Fit coordinator
• Work with walk leaders on paperwork collection
• Enjoy working as part of a team and independently
• Producing correspondence
• Training to use relevant software
• Gain new admin based skills
• Gain experience in an office based setting?

Walk Finders Skills

• Keen photographer, good knowledge of the district, love walking
• Find new walking routes around the Cannock Chase district
• Take step by step photos of the routes following the self led walk format
• Attend walk meetings
• Opportunity to showcase photographs on the green and open spaces in the district
• Discover more of your local area and spend time being physically active

Does your organisation want to start a walking Group?

As a community group/organisation would you like to start a walking group? It is a great way to be physically active and socialise at the same time. The Chase Fit walking scheme is able to support the development of a walking group and run training courses for staff and volunteers to become walk leaders.


 Want to volunteer? Contact us

Please see useful link to information on using our green and open spaces and health & wellbeing.

Countryside Code

When using our green and open spaces please be mindful and use the countryside code. Respect Protect Enjoy. More information about the country side code

NHS physical activity guidelines

Do you know how much exercise you should do? There are lots of different ways you can be physically active and combinations of activities that suit you. Please look at the NHS guidelines and see how much activity you should be doing.

• 18 to 64 More Information
• 65+ More Information

NHS guidelines on 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing

Research has shown there are 5 easy steps for you to achieve mental wellbeing.

• Connect
• Be Active
• Keep Learning
• Give to others
• Be mindful

More Information

More Links

• Age UK
• Friends of Cannock Chase
• Cannock Chase AONB
• Forestry Commission
• Cannock Chase District Council
• Inspiring healthy lifestyles Cannock Chase
• Staffordshire County Council
• Walking for Health
• Map My Walk
• Ramblers
• Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent
• Well Active
• Dementia Friends
• Grow up Great