Move the Masses

Move the Masses is an active, dynamic and responsive charity committed to supporting as many people as possible to get out, get active and enjoy the fresh air. Our mission is to create healthy and happy communities by improving people’s wellbeing through movement. We aim to do this by providing support, guidance and information to help people get and stay active, regardless of the barriers that they may be facing. Founded in York in 2018, the charity now runs projects in York, Leeds, Durham, Selby and Pocklington. We operate two main projects: our interactive online Move Map which allows people to find free public equipment to use for exercise throughout the UK, and our active friendship project, Move Mates. Move Mates’ mission is to make going for a walk a reality! It is a simple project that can have a life-changing impact through the provision of 1:1 support to get people walking directly from their own homes. We match up volunteer Move Mates with beneficiaries for regular walks. Move Mates provides support, encouragement and signposting to other suitable support services. Each walk is entirely adapted to the needs of the beneficiary to accommodate both physical and mental health requirements. Support is open ended and beneficiaries can walk with us for as long as they need. The impacts of the Move Mate projects are wide; improvement in the physical and mental health of participants has been recorded as well as a decrease in loneliness, an increase in active travel and supporting the environment, and in addition amazing community connections have formed through our pairings. Alongside Move Mates we also offer entry-level group walking sessions in York called Wellbeing Walks. Our volunteering opportunities are flexible, rewarding and active. We offer training to all our volunteers, social events, and support check-ins - it is important to us that all our volunteers know how valued they are to us and the people supported through the project.