Invitation to Volunteer Walk Leader Training
Date: Friday 17th October 2014 Time: 09:30 for 10:00 start. Finish by 15:00
Venue Information:
South Oxfordshire District Council Office
Benson Lane
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford
Oxfordshire
OX 10 8BD
What is Volunteer Walk Leader training?
The Volunteer Walk Leader course is a free one-day course for anyone who would like to lead walks for the Walking for Health scheme. This can include front, middle or back markers.
Walking for Health is part of England’s largest network of health walk schemes, helping all kinds of people to lead a more active lifestyle. Our walks are led by friendly, knowledgeable people, specially trained for the job. Along with fellow walkers, our walk leaders provide all the advice and encouragement a new walker needs to build fitness at a pace that’s right for them. In just a short time, a small amount of regular exercise can significantly improve a person’s health, well-being and confidence. And from what our walkers tell us, there’s plenty of laughter to be heard on our walks.
By the end of the course you will:
· Understand what Walking for health is about
· Understand the benefits of walking and physical activity
· Get to know the role of a walk leader
· Information on mental health and learning disabilities
· Have access to follow-up support and resources to help people make the most of your
skills, including a Volunteer Walk Leader manual
· Be confident to lead a health walk in due course (following the guidance that goes with the progress card)
· Have met and shared best practice with other walk leaders
Tea & coffee will be available on arrival in the room and throughout the day.
SODC run a subsidised Dining Room serving a variety of hot and cold food, for which there will be a modest charge. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch if you prefer to do so.
What to expect on the day
Registration at Reception from 09:30
Coffee / tea will be available in the room
Course begins at 10:00
Demonstration Walk around 12:30
Lunch approximately 13:00
Couse complete by 15:00
What to bring on the day
Suitable clothing and footwear – you will be taking part in a short demonstration health walk.
What is expected of you after the training day?
1. When you have completed the walk leader training day your cascade trainer will sign and date your progress card to show that you have attended the training session. They will also need to sign off the following stages of your progress card.
2. You will then observe 1-2 health walks and take note of how the existing walk leaders run them.
3. The final stage is to lead your own walk.
4. When you have completed these stages, and your progress card has been fully signed off, you will be a fully qualified walk leader and will receive your certificate from your coordinator.
For information –
Lots of people like to start by “back marking” and you will not be expected to do anything you are not comfortable with. A back marker is a trained leader who walks with the back of the group of walkers, making sure no-one gets left behind.
You will be part of the national network of health walk schemes and will have the opportunity to attend meetings and walk leader get together with the scheme coordinator and other walk leaders as well as being given access to further training and support.
Volunteer Walk Leader
Training application form
Course Date: Friday 17th October 2014
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Walking for Health volunteer walk leader. If you would like to attend this session, please complete this form and return it to Bernard Novell (see bottom of page for details)
About the training
The Volunteer Walk Leader course is a one-day course for anyone willing and able to lead walks in the community. It is a day of practical advice and includes practice in leading a walk and information on keeping people motivated.
What you will need for the training day
Suitable clothing and footwear – you will be taking part in a short demonstration health walk.
Refreshments – SODC run a subsidised dining room serving a variety of hot and cold foods. You may bring your own packed lunch if you prefer. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided in the room.
What’s expected of you after the training?
Walk leaders receive training so that they can go on to lead walks with their local Walking for Health scheme. Your scheme coordinator will be able to help arrange for you to start leading walks with the support of more experienced leaders who already volunteer with your scheme.
Your details
Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......
Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………......
......
Postcode: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....
Telephone: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Email: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......
Why are you applying to be trained as a volunteer walk leader? ......
Which Walking for Health scheme(s) do you intend to lead walks for? ......
Have you already attended a health walk? Yes / No
This is a requirement of being accepted onto the course and you can find out where walks take place in your area by visiting our website www.walkingforhealth.org.uk
How often could you lead a walk? – please give details of suitable days, times, locations ......
......
Do you have any other experience, skills or interests which may be useful? E.g. First aid training ......
......
Do you have any special requirements when attending a training course? Yes/No
If yes, please give details:
......
......
Where did you hear about volunteer walk leader training?
......
Using and sharing your information
Your information will be held by Walking for Health, which is managed in partnership by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. It will be used by the Walking for Health team, local scheme coordinators and trainers to assess your suitability in becoming a walk leader and to maintain contact with you.
Please confirm that you understand how we will use your information: Yes/No
Signed: ...... Date: ......
Once complete, return this form by e-mail to or post to:
Bernard Novell
Stow Cottage
8 Elvendon Road
Goring-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
RG8 0DU.