This page gives Walk Leaders pointers, tools and information to lead a successful walk.
In mid 2008 the Led Walks Team was created to provide support to Walk Leaders and Programme Co-ordinators.
Led Walks- The Way Ahead
‘Led Walks – The Way Ahead’ sets out plans that are being considered to introduce a co-ordinated training package for Walk Leaders. It outlines that there is demand from many Groups and volunteers for more training opportunities and provides some context to help explain why the development of Led Walks is a focus of activity for the Ramblers. It outlines the significance of the Walk Leader 2010 Group Survey and requests action from every Group to respond to the survey.
Walk Leaders 2010 Group Survey
In order to help determine the scale of co-ordinated training, and the associated resources that would be required, a survey is being conducted to discover how many people lead Ramblers walks and the type of terrain that they lead walks over. This information is not easy to collect by looking at Group programmes as there are over 500 Groups and not all leaders may lead a walk in each programme. The survey is available here. One response only per Group please.
Please read the accompanying notes for explanation on how to complete the survey. The closing date is May 31st 2010.
Checklist Feedback Survey
In August 2009, a new version of the Walk Leader’s checklist was published. It included a new section on basic first aid and what to do in an incident, introduced in response to requests from Groups who had experienced incidents on their walks.
The Ramblers is committed to improving the checklist whilst exploring the possibility of introducing a national training programme. In order to ensure that the checklist best meets the needs of Walk Leaders, an online feedback survey, here, is taking place throughout March to identify potential improvements. Individuals are invited to respond. The draft consultation checklist is available as a link from the survey.
The closing date is 30th March 2010 and all feedback will be considered whilst preparing the final version.
Bob Barton Report
In 2006, Bob Barton, an independent walking expert was appointed to undertake a review of the Ramblers Led Walks programme.
He found many strengths in the programme and concluded that “Led Walks are a splendid institution…with many excellent features” but he also identified some weaknesses and laid down a number of challenges. He felt that “there [was] a danger of Led Walks becoming increasingly separated from public expectations of safety and quality” and stressed that “Ramblers needs to know that its walks are well led – in as much as they should be safe, welcoming, provide a satisfying walking experience and enhance the reputation of the Ramblers."
He made a series of recommendations including raising the prominence of Led Walks, assuring safety and quality in leaders, raising the profile of risk management in Led Walks and the establishment of a team dedicated to supporting Led Walks. He also suggested that, in the longer term, Ramblers should investigate options for training.
The full report can be found here
Role Description
Walk Leader
Led Walks Newsletter
July 09 News
Post July updates and news from the Led Walks team can now be found on the News pages of the Volunteering section and are sent out as part of the volunteer e-newsletter.
Leading Group Walks
A guide to organising a safe, enjoyable Ramblers walk.
Leading walks in remote areas
A guide for Leaders leading walks in remote and challenging areas
Walk leader's checklist
The laminated version of this handy pocket sized step by step checklist to lead a successful walk and what to do in an incident are available to order from central office ramblers@ramblers.org.uk / 020 7339 8500.
A web version is available here but we do encourage you to order a laminated copy to carry.
Insurance for leading walks
The new insurance for 09/10 is now available and it contains some changes so please ensure you read the guidance fully. The full insurance document and forms are available here.
Incident Analysis
Overall, walking is one of the safest outdoor activities. It’s completely natural, doesn’t overly strain your body and doesn’t require sophisticated equipment. Every week Ramblers volunteers organise over 500 led walks, taking thousands of people out walking - in the vast majority of cases without incident. However, occasionally, incidents do occur.
In order to help ensure that insurance cover is adequate, to monitor any trends and so help the organisation to offer appropriate advice and training, 6 monthly reports will be produced analysing reported incidents. It is requested that all incidents are reported using the Incident Report Form
Incident Analysis reports will be uploaded below in mid April and mid October.
The first two of these reports can be found here:
1st April - 30th Sept 09
1st Oct 08 - 31st March 09
Case Studies
Most of the incidents reported are, thankfully, of a minor nature. However, occasionally, there are more serious incidents that require further investigation in order that the organisation can learn from them and offer appropriate guidance.
More detail of incidents can be read on the Case Studies page.
Group Survey Leaders sign up sheet
As a critical step to help scope the scale of a training scheme greater knowledge about Walk Leaders is necessary. CRM (the Ramblers database) has recently been developed to recognise members as Walk Leaders, enabling analysis and reports to become a possibility in the future. If take up is sufficient it is envisaged that it may be possible to make Walk Leader reports annually available to Groups. Over 1,400 people who voluntarily have signed up on-line over the last year are now recognised as Walk Leaders in CRM.
Those Groups who would like Walk Leaders to be identified in CRM are invited to, separately, return a simple Excel spreadsheet (containing membership number, title, first name, surname and email address (where possible)). The spreadsheet is available HERE and should be returned to ledwalks@ramblers.org.uk. . It does not matter if individuals have already signed up using the on-line form. Spreadsheets received by May 31st will be automatically uploaded to CRM. Any received after that will be manually entered, but still welcomed. Leaders can sign up as individuals at any time on-line. Those providing email addresses will receive monthly volunteer updates.
Walks template
Using a template will make it easier for you to submit walks to your Walks Programme Co-ordinator. They can then include the details in your Group Walks Programme and upload them to Walksfinder. Walksfinder helps people who are new to the Ramblers to find walks. Your Group may have a bespoke version of this template.
Walks Grading
The Ramblers has a national walks grading system so that walks can be compared from Group to Group on the Group Walks Finder. Please grade your walks using this system. Your Group may use a bespoke grading system too.
Welcoming children and vulnerable adults
Do you know what you should be doing if children under 18 or vulnerable adults attend a walk you are leading? Make sure you are familiar with our Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and Guidelines. Further information can be found on the following pages:
Further reading and information:
Walking with children
Guidance on Young People Leading Walks
Walking for people with disabilities
Get Walking Keep Walking
A list of useful websites and books.
