vwl training slides 29 44

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Section 4: The paperwork

•Route planning and risk assessment•Health walk forms•Special conditions

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Route Planning

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Risk Assessment

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Outdoor Health Questionnaire

• Information is input into the national database

• Important for evaluation and funding!

• Check all sections are completed

• Look for two signatures• Stress confidentiality.

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Special conditions

• Most chronic health conditions improve with gentle activity like walking

• Walking is very low risk• Walking can be adapted for any pace and ability• The VWL is NOT expected to be a health expert• Recommend a GP consent letter or verbal

agreement before starting to walk• Check health status before each walk

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Registers• Fill in before the walk• Record of attendance• Know who is with you• Useful for evaluation of

numbers and frequency of walkers

• Check all have returned• Send to SC after walk

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Accident Report Forms

• Essential in the (rare) case of an accident

• Complete as soon as possible after the walk

• Get witness statements• Copy and send to SC

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• NE carries adequate third party insurance for all its health walks

• Scheme Coordinators register new walk leaders

• Enquiries to: Jasia.Krabbe@naturalengland.org.uk Tel: 03000 600 338

Insurance

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Section 5: The Volunteer Walk Leader •The ‘ideal’ walk leader•Role and responsibilities •Managing walkers•Motivating and attracting walkers

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Walk Leader’s Responsibilities• Before the walk meets

– Route planning/Risk assessment/Promotion

• At the start of the walk– Register/Outdoor Health Questionnaire– Clothing and footwear check– Mobile phone/Whistle/Walkie talkie

• During the walk– Monitoring/Pace/Communication/Motivation

• After the walk– Head count/Register completion/Socialise.

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The Ideal Walk Leader

Friendly

Approachable

Reliable and punctual

Enthusiastic

Observant (People and

route)

Completes appropriate paperwork

Familiar with route

Makes the walk a social

occasion

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Managing a group of walkers

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Motivating Walkers

Keep them coming back!

Help them to achieve 5 x 30 minutes

Become a ‘Walking Ambassador’ and spread the walking message to others.

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Aims of Today

• Be aware of the health benefits of regular walking

• Be familiar with the paperwork required • Know how to plan a route and recognise hazards• Understand the role of the leader at the start,

during and at the end of a Health Walk• Be confident and happy to lead a health walk.

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What Next?

• Action planning and ‘Pledge postcard’

• Date of leading/helping first walk

• Thank-you!• Don’t forget evaluation

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