9.45- 9.55 WELCOME

Volunteer walk leader training Aims of the day Understand Walking for Health Understand the benefits of walking Getting to know the role of walk leader 9.55-10.00 Aims and expectations Gain confidence and knowledge needed to lead a health walk and complete the required paperwork Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Overview of the day 9.30 Registration 10.00 Icebreaker 10.15 Walking for Health 10.55 The benefits of walking 11.45 Coffee break 11.55 Your role as a walk leader 12.50 Demonstration walk 1.35 Lunch 2.10 Managing walks and walkers 2.30 Paperwork, insurance and the database 3.15 Coffee break 3.25 Walking and health conditions 4.05 The walk leader experience 4.10 Next steps 4.30 Close 10.00-10.05 Agenda Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Ice breaker 10.05-10.15 Introductions - icebreaker Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

600 schemes 3,400 walks 10,000 volunteers 10.15 – 10.20 Walking for Health Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Our partnership A new era for Walking for Health 10.20-10.30 (part 1) Together, the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support run Walking for Health to help more people – including those affected by cancer – discover the joys and health benefits of walking. Over the next couple of slides I’ll tell you a bit more about the partners and why they’re involved. Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Our partnership The Ramblers Working for walkers from 1935.... ....to today Helping people to go walking... 10.20 – 10.30 Part 2 The Ramblers is the charity for walkers, helping everyone enjoy the outdoors on foot. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned enthusiast, the Ramblers can support you. ...and protecting the places where you walk Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Our partnership 2 million Macmillan Cancer Support One in three of us will get cancer 2 million 2 million of us are living with it 10.20 – 10.30 (Part 3) One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care.  You can find out more about Macmillan’s recommendations on supporting people with cancer to get active in your manuals and on their website. “Cheryl, my walk leader, encouraged me to walk, which greatly improved my mind set and fitness when I was recovering from cancer.”  Catherine, walker 1.6 million cancer survivors aren’t active enough Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

What is a health walk? Activity 10.30 – 10.40 What is a health walk? Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Why Walking for Health? The benefits It was great to be doing something active while making new friends. I felt really proud of myself at the end of the walk. No one will ever know just what a big deal it was for me to get there in the first place but I’m so glad I did. 10.40 – 10.45 Why Walking for Health? My confidence has grown immensely.. I felt so much better after every walk Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Who we are The Walking for Health team Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Who we are Scheme coordinators Fellow leaders Support for you Scheme coordinators Fellow leaders Walking for Health website 10.50-10.55 Support from your scheme(s) Newsletters Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Physical activity How much do you know? How much physical activity does the government recommend we should be doing every week? What percentage of men and women currently don’t meet the government’s physical activity guidelines? By how much can being inactive shorten our lifespan? a) 0 years b) 1-2 years c) 3-5 years d) 5-7 years Which of these health conditions does keeping active reduce the risk of? a) coronary heart disease b) stroke c) type 2 diabetes d) depression e) colon cancer f) Alzheimer’s What’s better for you? a) ironing for 30 minutes a day? b) walking briskly for 30 minutes a day? c) running for 15 minutes a day 10.55 – 11.10 Answers: 150 minutes 2/3 of the population C All of them B and c are about the same, though b is less likely to result in injury Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

It makes me happier I don’t have time Physical activity Benefits and barriers It makes me happier I don’t have time 11.10 – 11.20 (PART 1) ACTIVITY Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Why walk? The physical benefits Only a third of adults in the UK are active enough, but it doesn’t have to be this way... If a medication existed which had a similar effect to physical activity, it would be regarded as a ‘wonder drug’ or a ‘miracle cure’. Former Chief Medical Officer of England 11.10-11.20 PART 2 Physical benefits Prevents cancer Improves heart and lung function Reduces blood pressure Can help Type 2 diabetics control blood sugar Weight management Builds muscle Strengthens bones Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Why walk? The mental benefits It’s not just about physical health, walking is great for body and mind... “Walking for Health has been one of the best things I’ve ever done, I feel like I’ve found the real me again. I’m healthier, fitter, happier and more confident.” Sandra, walker with Walking for Health 11.10-11.20 PART 3 Mental benefits Improves sleep Reduces fatigue Reduces stress Reduces anxiety Improves mood Rebalances brain chemicals Can be as effective as anti-depressants for mild or moderate depression Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Why not walk? Common barriers You can find responses to these in your manual... I haven’t got time Exercise isn’t safe – I might get injured Exercise is boring I can’t afford it 11.10-11.20 PART 4 I’m overweight and don’t have the confidence You have to be fit to exercise I don’t know how or where to get active Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Walking for Health Motivation to take part A friend who was taking part said don’t walk on your own, come and join us. It is a very sociable group, so a lot of people have made quite good friends through the walks… 11.20-11.25 Other benefits Sustainable transport Sociable + Motivations Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Physical activity and mental health 11.25 – 11.35 PART 1 Activity – what does mental health mean to you? Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Physical activity and mental health The benefits Walking has always been there for me, my confidence has grown immensely. I'm a totally different person now than I was ten years ago and I owe so much of that to walking. Walker with bipolar disorder 11.25-11.35 PART 2 Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

23 ½ hours Another view point 11.35 – 11.45 – play youtube clip – click on video to link through to internet Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Coffee break 11.45 – 11.55 Coffee break Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

What makes an ideal walk leader? Activity 11.55 – 12.05 Activity Friendly Welcoming Empowering Knowledgeable Sociable Enthusiastic Reliable and punctual Observant – of people and the environment Able to do the paperwork Properly equipped Know their own boundaries Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

The walk leader’s role 12.05-12.15 Hand out walk leader role description Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Looking after yourself Because your health is important too! 12.15-12.20 – the importance of looking after yourself as a walk leader Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Leading a safe walk Recces and risk assessments Recces Give you knowledge and confidence 12.20-12.30 Recces and risk assessments There’s lots of information about what you need to know on risk assessments and recceing in the manual. Risk assessments -For safety -For insurance Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Components of a health walk Activity Before At the start During 12.30-12.45 After Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Leading a health walk Knowledgeable Empowering Equipped Observant Top tips Knowledgeable Empowering Equipped Observant Welcoming Friendly 12.45-12.50 Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Demo walk 12.50-1.35 Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Lunch 1.35-2.10 Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Managing a group of walkers The practicalities If a group of strangers turned up at the same place, at the same time, in unfamiliar surroundings and decided to go on a walk without a leader, what would happen? 2.10-2.20 Managing a group of walkers effectively Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Dealing with difficult scenarios Activity I don’t want to fill out the health questionnaire I’m going to shout at people if we don’t do what I want to do 2.20-2.30 – dealing with difficult or delicate scenarios   Explain that these scenarios are covered under ‘possible issues’ in the manual I’m wearing flip flops Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Paperwork and the database What we all need to know 2.30-2.55 – the importance of paperwork You should have example completed copies of all the paperwork referred to, to show the group what they look like when they are filled in correctly. ACTIVITY – spot the mistake on the OHQ Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Insurance What it is and what it covers Walking is one of the safest outdoor activities Civil liability NOT personal accident 2.55-3.05 Understanding the importance of insurance Trained walk leader on Walking for Health activities Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

First aid We recommend walk leaders receive training Our advice We recommend walk leaders receive training It’s not an insurance requirement for us Individual schemes will have their own policies 3.05-3.10 – Understanding first aid and practice British Red Cross advice Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Route planning (optional) Finding the right way 3.05-3.15 This is an optional slide to use if those attending will need to plan routes or are interested in hearing about how to do that. You should gauge whether to cover this either at the start of the day or during the lunch break.   There’s more about route planning in your manuals. Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Coffee break 3.15-3.25 Coffee break Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Walking and mental health Activity What words would you relate to someone with a mental health problem? How could you tell if someone has a mental health problem? 3.25-3.35 Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

The MIND cycle Relax Signpost Listen Human Present Reflect Activity Adopt an open body posture Signpost Listen Give contact details of relevant organisations Avoid judgement Nod and smile Allow them to finish 3.35-3.45 Human Present Connect as a person “That must have been difficult” Be in the moment Avoid rehearsing a response Reflect Summarise and repeat back to show you have listened Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Understanding learning disabilities Activity What does ‘learning disability’ mean to you? In small groups, come up with your own definition of what a learning disability is How do you know that someone has a learning disability? 3.45 – 3.55 Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Mental health & learning disabilities The differences Mental health problems... Learning disabilities... ...can occur at any time ...you have from birth ...affect the way you think, feel and behave ...affect the way you learn, communicate & understand 3.55-4.00 ...can be treated with therapy or drugs, which can help some people ...cannot be treated medically and are lifelong Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Communication tips Speaking to someone with learning disabilities The right place Check you’ve understood Open questions Watch body language Take your time 4.00-4.05 Use visual aids Break down information Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

The benefits of being a walk leader Real stories 4.05-4.10 Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Your next steps Working towards your certificate 4.10 – 4.15 HAND OUT PROGRESS CARDS Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Your manual Let’s take a look 4.15 – 4.20 HAND OUT MANUALS Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Training summary Understand Walking for Health Review of the aims of the day Understand Walking for Health Understand the benefits of walking Getting to know the role of walk leader 4.20 – 4.25 Gain confidence and knowledge needed to lead a health walk and complete the required paperwork Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Thank you! 4.25 – 4.30 Wrap up the day. When you finish your training sessions, you’ll need to summarise the day, give the trainees a chance to ask any final questions and ask them to complete evaluation forms. Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training