Leading group walks: an introduction

1. Leading group walks:an introduction [Facilitator name]

2. Overview Getting to know each other What makes a good group walk? What makes a good walk leader? Before, during and after Guidance and support Insurance Questions This afternoon: basic map and compass skills

3. Getting to know each other Your name and where you’re from Do you already lead walks? If not, why do you want to? If you do, what do you most enjoy about walk leading? What type of walk do you lead/want to lead?

4. We’re the charity that helps people enjoy walking and protects the places we all love to walk. We’ve been around for 80 years and have 106,000 members across England, Wales and Scotland. • Our volunteers organise regular walks led by local experts – a great way to get outside, make new friends and discover how walking boosts your health and happiness. • Over 500 groups • Over 45,000 group walks every year, from short local strolls to challenging walks in remote country • Thousands more walks supported through Walking for Health and Let’s Walk Cymru • 10,000 walk leaders • Staff supporting group walks Group walks in the Ramblers

5. What makes a good group walk?

6. Convenient time and start point • Appropriate length • Appropriate pace • Appropriate terrain • Interesting/varied surroundings • Safe and attractive surroundings • Good leader • Friendly crowd • Interpretation/commentary • Socialising afterwards What makes a good group walk?

7. What makes a good walk leader?

8. What makes a good walk leader? • Welcoming, friendly, sociable • Good communicator, informative • Aware of others, observant • Confident, knows the route • Competent at dealing with incidents • Diplomatic but firm and decisive • Well-organised • Reliable and punctual • Enthusiastic (but not overbearing) • An ambassador for walking and the Ramblers

9. “You’ve got to have confidence in your own ability to make decisions. It’s a question of striking the right balance and doing what’s best for the whole group.”Terry, Sheffield Ramblers

10. Choosing a route • Who is it for? New walkers? More experienced walkers? People with particular interests? • Where? Local? A favourite area? Somewhere new? • Distance and terrain? Long? Short? Easy? Challenging? Half-day/evening? Full day? • Facilities? Public transport? Parking? Toilets? Shelter? Refreshments? Picnic place? Seating?

11. Ramblers Routes • Signed routes • Guidebooks • Websites • Another leader • Repeat routes • Devise your own Sources of route ideas www.ramblers.org.uk/find-a-walk

12. The recce Very highly recommended As close to the time of the walk as possible With back marker if possible Take a notebook and write up a brief report Why recce? Familiarity and confidence Check for obstructions and other problems Check diversions and ‘escape routes’ Identify potential hazards (risk assessment) and difficulties Check stopping places, viewpoints, points of interest, cafés/pubs etc

13. Publicising the walk • Ramblers main website • Printed programmes • Local website • Local media, posters etc Walks must be publicised in advance for insurance reasons

15. Writing good walk listings What will encourage as many people as possible to turn up on a walk? What do walkers want/need to know, especially if they’re new to Ramblers?

16. The day before the walk

17. The day before the walk Check weather forecasts: be prepared to divert or cancel if necessary Re-check public transport, remind pub/café Check personal gear, maps, guides, paperwork, first aid kit Charge mobile phone Be prepared to answer enquiries from potential walkers

18. On the day: at the start Be early and welcoming, particularly to newcomers. Consider using a register/signing-in sheet Think about emergency contact details: some groups ask people to carry these or tell leader Informally check the equipment of the party and identify anyone with particular needs. Be prepared to turn inadequately equipped walkers away Check 15-17-year-olds have parental permission Appoint a back marker if not already agreed

19. On the day: at the start Introduce the walk

20. On the day: at the start Introduce the walk Introduce yourself and back marker and welcome walkers Briefly outline the route, length, likely walking time, toilets, refreshment stops, points of interest Highlight hazards and safety advice Highlight expectations of walkers (eg stay with group, let us know before leaving) Make clear this is a Ramblers walk and talk about Ramblers and group’s work. Have programmes and membership forms to hand out Remind adults with children of their responsibility Remind people with dogs to keep them under close control Answer any questions Count the party, signal the start and move off

21. “I get so much pleasure from the Ramblers that I wanted to put something back. I make a point of speaking to everyone so they feel welcome and included.”Olga, Edinburgh Ramblers

22. On the day: along the way Manage the pace: look behind you and keep the group together, making sure you can see the back marker. Don’t let the fastest walkers set the pace. If people walk ahead, make sure they know to wait until the group catches up and don’t get lost. Stop intermittently so everyone can catch up, rest and drink. Make sure the slowest walkers have a chance to rest too. Count the group. Keep an eye on timings. Highlight points of interest if wished. Manage hazards: road walking and crossings, slippery paths, difficult stiles. Make sure everyone passes these safely. Make sure your group walks responsibly: keeping dogs under control, leaving gates as you find them. Give clear instructions at refreshment stops etc. Be prepared to take charge where necessary and not leave it to individuals to decide what to do.

23. On the day: after the walk Thank everyone for coming and tell them about the next walk Encourage non-members to join Make sure everyone can get home safely Report any incidents (more later) Report path and access problems Reflect on how things went Start thinking about your next walk

24. More support • Walk leader good practice • Walk leader training • Successful short walks • Ramblers Routes • Group walks and events manager • Insurance • Safeguarding

27. Insurance for walk leaders Incidents on walks are very rare and injuries normally minor Civil liability insurance not personal accident insurance Protects against claims for negligence on behalf of an injured party Covers all Ramblers members (and non-members for up to three taster walks) but is particularly important to leaders and back markers as they are most vulnerable to claims Leaders and back markers must be members Must be a recognised Ramblers activity (more later) Covers leading in UK and abroad except USA and Canada Leaders’ and back markers’ insurance is not invalidated because there are non-members on the walk Different arrangements for practical work parties, health walks and staff-managed projects

28. Recognised Ramblers activities Walks must… Have a nominated leader and ideally a back marker who are both members and who have recce’d the route Be brought to the attention of the programme coordinator/group committee who ideally are confident in the leader’s ability to lead the walk Publicised as a Ramblers activity in advance using at least one of: The main Ramblers website The area or group website A printed programme For overnight stays: have an overall organiser who ideally is confident in the leader’s ability and will vary the programme if circumstances demand

29. Incident reporting Report any incident that resulted or might have resulted in injury or damage to property, even if relatively minor Familiarise yourself with the form in the insurance toolkit and use this form to report incidents Pass completed forms to your group secretary or other relevant officer: they need to sign them off and forward on to us Report serious incidents (like serious injuries or fatalities) immediately by phone to Ramblers centrally and to your group The form will help protect you in the event of a claim Your forms also help us in monitoring and analysing incidents and taking steps to avoid them.

30. Questions?