walk leader training
TRANSCRIPT
Objectives
1. Develop an understanding of the activities required before, during and after a group walk
2. Understand and manage the situations that may come up
3. Introduce Risk Assessments
4. Identify best practice and top tips for organising a group walk
1 Purpose of the walk
2 Planning the route
3 Carrying out a risk assessment
4 Communications and promoting your walk
5 Managing the walk
6 Evaluating and learning for next time
Step by Step
Route Planning
Who are your walkers?
How long do you have?
When is the walk planned for?
Places to avoid
Refreshment areas and comfort breaks
Emergency access
Risk assessment
You will need to walk your route and make a note of hazards and potential risk areas
A risk assessment is to:a) identify any riskb) put control measures in places to minimise that risk
e.g. The risk: fast moving traffic at road crossingThe control measure: take group further down the road to cross at pelican crossing
Make a copy of your risk assessment and keep it, along with a copy of a map of the route(s), for your records
Group ratios
Recommendation (for insurance purposes) - 1 leader for 20 walkers
We strongly recommend that every group of walkers should have at least 2 walk leaders, 1 at the front and 1 at the back. We would advise that larger groups have third, or an assistant in the middle
Promoting your event•Posters and flyers•Intranet•All-user emails•Social media•Word of mouth•Any other option available to you in your setting
Managing your walk
At the start of the walk
1.Register
2.Welcomes & Introductions
3.Walk Overview
4.Health and Safety points
5.Check that everyone is ready – begin walk
Managing your walk
During the walk
1.Manage the pace (keep an eye on the time!)
2.Be observant and vigilant, looking out for hazards, especially when crossing roads
3.Check that all walkers are comfortable and able to maintain the pace. Walkers should be able to talk and walk at the same time
4.Manage your rest breaks. Make sure you don’t lose track of time or the walkers!
Managing the walk
After the walk
1.Check all walkers have returned
2.Congratulate all
3.Advise of when the next walk will be
Avoiding emergencies
Dynamically risk assess (assess as you go) – e.g. a walk suitable for normal good summer weather may be very arduous during a heatwave – change your route or shorten the walk. Similarly a good winter walk in normal weather may become treacherous in the event of snow and ice.
Always carry water with you
Don’t take chances – e.g. call off walks in icy conditions, and e.g.2 if someone complains of chest pains, stop the walk and follow first aid procedures