Leading a walk
We are always pleased to welcome new volunteer walk leaders, so if you enjoy walking with us and would like to lead a walk, have a chat with any of the existing walk leaders to find out more.
For insurance purposes you need to be registered as a volunteer walk leader with Ramblers Central Office. Getting registered is a straightforward process and is arranged via Nick Hillier - Warwickshire Area Membership Secretary
Don’t worry about trying to invent a new walk, any walk you are familiar with will do just fine. If you are new to walk leading the following may be helpful.
There is also plenty of advice on the Ramblers website - https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/walk-leadership
New walk leaders are required to do some online training which is also useful for existing walk leaders.
Choosing the walk
- consult Ramblers Routes (www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking.aspx) for checked walks
- consult walking guide books - there are plenty available
- search on google, there are lots of walking routes promoted.
- decide on the type of walk that suits you best e.g. length; terrain; demand
- is there parking available? This is often the limiting factor.
A recce is required so that a risk assessment can be completed. Although preferable this does not need to be before contacting Nick to offer the walk.
Numbers on walks
There is no limit to how many walkers can join a walk as they can just turn up and join in. This works OK in most situations. However in some circumstances, such as limited parking and other concerns you might have, it is better to know in advance how many people are planning to walk. You can include this on the details of walks you send to Nick, stipulating that booking is required. These details will be put on the website and walkers will then either text or call you to book a place. Once the maximum that you are happy with has been reached then contact Nick to change the status of the walk to FULLY BOOKED.
Another alternative to asking walkers to book in advance, and if there are no restrictions on such things as car parking, is at the start of the walk to ask for a volunteer to act as a back marker. There are always people willing to do this. Back markers don’t have to be registered with central office they just have to be a Rambler’s member. This will be almost everybody, other than individuals walking with us to see if they like us. This is an insurance issue.
Preparation
- do a reconnaissance walk (recce). If you are new to leading a walk, it can be helpful to to do the recce with an existing leader - contact a committee member.
- make sure you know the complete route, navigation points, potential hazards, likely duration of the walk taking into account stiles, gates and underfoot conditions
- identify possible rest and toilet points where appropriate
- note timings for walk sections, allowing for recce diversions or obstructions
- complete a risk assessment
If there are any changes to the planned walk please let Nick know so that he can update the Walks Programme.
Risk Assessment
A risk assessment must be completed for each walk. Solihull Group have produced its own form based on Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines. See page 6 of Risk Assessment Information. Whilst it is hoped that people will find the proposed template helpful, it is not mandatory that this is used. The requirement to complete a risk assessment is, for insurance purposes, mandatory, using a particular form is not. You can make it as simple as you wish. The requirement is that it is written down (physically or electronically) and retained for three years.
It can be useful to take it on the walk with you, to use for briefing the walkers.
Please be assured that the walking we do is very low risk.
Insurance
Please read fact sheets on insurance from the Ramblers
At the start
Whatever starting time you have decided (it’s up to you), but assuming you have opted for a 10:00 am start, don’t start early. Maybe start your pre-walk briefing at 10:00 am and by the time this is done anyone running late should have arrived or called you.
Your pre-walk briefing should be to welcome the walkers, particularly any newcomers, and give a brief outline of the walk and any points of note including potential hazards.
The reality is that walkers tend to be pretty punctual and arrive about 15 minutes before the designated start time or even earlier, so by the time you have completed your briefing you should be good to start!
On the odd occasion where you have opted to have people pre-book, you need to think about anyone who hasn’t arrived. Again, walkers are very good, if their circumstances change and they now aren’t coming or are running late, they will usually let leaders know. If you don’t hear try to contact those who are late.
Given how many people are walking it is useful to ask for a volunteer to be backmarker. Likewise in larger groups, ask those in the middle to keep in sight of those in front and behind.
Remind walkers about roads with no pavement, to be ready to listen to your guidance which will include the need to keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic, being prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light and keeping close to the side of the road.
It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.
On the walk
- set a pace which takes account of the fitness and capabilities of the group
- check regularly that the group is not becoming too stretched out; pause for regrouping as required and check numbers
- check the route regularly
- highlight points of interest to the group
- give warnings of potential hazards such as road walking or crossings
- accidents or incidents are very rare on walks but, should any occur, use common sense and, for serious accidents, call 999 or 112. Face coverings should be worn when dealing with casualties and limit contact as much as possible. Here’s information on dealing with casualties. After the walk please advise Val Gibbons the group secretary.
At the end of the walk
- check that everyone has returned safely, thank them and encourage informal feedback;
- remember to let
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. know how many members have been on your walk. It's an important part of monitoring the success of our walk programme. - keep the risk assessment for three years
- report any incidents to the group secretary.
Walk Leader Information from the Ramblers
Lots of useful material can be found on the Ramblers website