Promoting walking: a strategy for the Ramblers' Association

Photo: Richard Mann

Since May 2005 we have had a clear strategy for developing our promoting walking work, endorsed by our Board of Trustees.

Summary

Key points in this document are:

• An analysis of the RA’s strengths and weaknesses and key opportunities for promoting walking
• A strategy with a vision for 20 years and outcomes for 5 and 2 years
• A work plan for the period May 2005 to September 2007
• Developing the Promoting Walking presence on and use of the web
• Building a strong relationship with and training for volunteers
• Improving outreach to new audiences
• Building on our walking for health work
• Developing the capacity to offer shorter/urban walks particularly for new walkers
• Developing the capacity to carry out local and national media activities to promote walking
• Building on relationships with other key players and the RA’s reputation in the field
• Building an effective cross divisional, multi-national PW team
• Establishing research capacity to carry out research on key areas as appropriate
• Partnership and funding opportunities

The 20-year vision

• The decline in walking has been halted and the numbers of people walking and walking 30/5 is consistently growing
• Opportunities for walking and the quality of the walking environment have improved significantly
• The image of walking has shifted from a low prestige form of transport or an old-fashioned outdoor pursuit to an essential part of healthy and fulfilling lifestyle for people of all ages
• The Ramblers Association is the clear and acknowledged representative of all walkers in Great Britain – urban and rural, energetic and slow, old and young, people with disabilities and able bodied people and people from all communities. Its image, and significantly increased membership, clearly reflect its more inclusive role
• The Ramblers website is the source all types of walking information in Britain, with a comprehensive service including descriptions of short walks within 5km of 85% of the population
• The Ramblers’ strategy is independent of strong government support for PW, and will continue to work in a less supportive environment
• The RA is the prime source of information and comment for the media, decision makers and key organisations
• RA’s research is widely respected as the best in the field, and our statistics on walking issues are widely recognised as the standard
• A national network of volunteers ensures the RA is able to support and influence the promotion of walking at GB-wide, national, regional and local level as well as sustain a large number of local practical projects across GB

Read the full strategy (Word document 165kB)