Hear Bowie’s Brixton, relive Charlie Chaplin's childhood, march with the Suffragettes and for Black Rights, see the beautification of Southwark, or take a moonlit Thameside stroll! CoolWalks are a range of weekly walks in South London, which have been running for over ten years, offering locals and visitors an alternative to the usual tourist walk. These off-the-beaten-track tours present the area’s diversity, culture and heritage. They are researched and delivered by CoolTan Arts volunteers. The CoolWalks volunteer training programme supports members of the public to research, plan and deliver the walks, improving their wellbeing and employability; last year 30% of volunteers progressed to paid employment. It is run at CoolTan Arts, an award-winning mental health in arts charity. CoolWalks is open to all but especially supports those with mental health conditions. Your support will enable CoolWalks to become a self-sustaining social enterprise for the South London community.

What we'll deliver:

• Continue to run weekly walks, growing on demand over time, and create new walks
• Funding for part-time Walks Programme Manager
• Make CoolWalks a fully self-sustaining social enterprise by 2018
• Make Walk Training accredited
• Training for 50 new volunteers, while supporting existing ones
• Devise training which can be rolled-out to other mental health organisations

Why it's a great idea:

CoolTan Arts provide much of its support to people in South London – an area which has one of the highest incidences of mental distress in the UK. We widen access to creative opportunities and make sure that arts and leisure are available to everyone, regardless of circumstance. CoolWalks is based on the charity’s ethos of improving mental wellbeing through creativity. Guides are encouraged to craft the stories they feel are important, based on research and training. By retaining a radical and inclusive slant, the walks present a truer picture of the city, at turns light and dark. Last year we worked with over 30 volunteers, and created seven new local walks. All money raised will enable CoolTan Arts to continue their vital work supporting people with mental distress to develop their potential, reconnect with their aspirations, recover and enjoy life! You can read more about CoolTan Arts and what we do here: www.cooltanarts.org.uk

Steps to get it done:

• Create sustainable walks programme embedded into CoolTan Arts charity
• Recruit new CoolWalks volunteers
• Train and support existing core Walk Team as mentors for new volunteers
• Conduct training in running a Social Enterprise
• Develop training package based on existing expertise, with advice and support of accredited bodies
• Offer fully deliverable walk training course highlighting mental health needs, suitable for other organisations
• Research and develop new walks based on walk team volunteers knowledge and interests

Pledges of money large or small are welcome. For pledges of £15 or more, backers will receive a ticket to a walk of their choice. For more information visit the CoolWalks Blog: www.coolwalksblog.blogspot.co.uk If you'd like to Volunteer with CoolWalks please email: volunteering@cooltanarts.org.uk Everyone is welcome to join us on a Lunar Midnight Walk on 24th - 25th June! Thank you for your support.