Spotlight on Walk Works CIC

Tell us what you do.
Walk Works CIC offers bespoke guided walks around the Black Country and surrounding areas. Our walks focus on local heritage, education, recreation or creative activities; with the aim of enhancing the social welfare opportunities and improving the understanding of the Black Country to visitors.

Our outdoor events are open to everyone including families and children providing they are accompanied by an appropriate adult for the duration of the walk. We want to get people talking about our area, and looking at their surroundings with fresh eyes.

What is your proudest achievement?
Our proudest achievement was organising our Christmas Lights Switch on event with three weeks’ notice on behalf of Sandwell Council. Although organising the event was a mad rush with all the on-street entertainment, community stalls and small independent retailers participating in the event. We feel it was worth all the effort with over 2,000 individuals attending making it a very successful event for our community.

What is your experience of support received from SCVO?
SCVO has provided us with an array of advice, support and help since our inception which includes providing practical advice on starting up as a Community Interest Company and our charitable purposes to us taking advantage of our membership to obtain a discount on our Public Liability Insurance.

After an initial discussion with SCVO regarding our legal structure, their advice enabled us to save time, effort and money from the onset.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt about working with people in Sandwell?
The most valuable lesson we have learnt so far, is that people are very interested in their community but aren’t always sure on how to turn their ideas or energy into a positive community contribution that enables change to happen.

What are your plans for the future and some of the challenges you face?
Moving forward we envisage our future challenges to be finding the finances to continue and develop future positive activities which will involve local research and planning to continue to make a positive contribution within our community.

How can SCVO help to support your organization in the future?
We feel we will value from the continued support and advice from SCVO with the identification of funding opportunities that will enable us to invest in our volunteers.

For more information on our group or to get involved with our activities please email Fran Wilde at walkworks.cic@gmail.com