Volunteer walk leader training Aims of the day Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training2 Understand Walking for Health Understand the benefits of walking Getting to know the role of walk leader Gain confidence and knowledge needed to lead a health walk and complete the required paperwork

Overview of the day Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training3 9.30Registration 10.00Icebreaker 10.15Walking for Health 10.55The benefits of walking 11.45Coffee break 11.55Your role as a walk leader 12.50Demonstration walk 1.35Lunch 2.10Managing walks and walkers 2.30Paperwork, insurance and the database 3.15Coffee break 3.25Walking and health conditions 4.05The walk leader experience 4.10Next steps 4.30Close

Ice breaker Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training4

600 schemes 3,400 walks 10,000 volunteers Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training5

Your local scheme (edit here) Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training6

Our partnership Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training7 A new era for Walking for Health

Our partnership Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training8 The Ramblers Working for walkers from to today...and protecting the places where you walk Helping people to go walking...

Our partnership Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training9 One in three of us will get cancer 2 million 2 million of us are living with it 1.6 million cancer survivors aren’t active enough “Cheryl, my walk leader, encouraged me to walk, which greatly improved my mind set and fitness when I was recovering from cancer.” Catherine, walker Macmillan Cancer Support

What is a health walk? Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training10 Activity

Why Walking for Health? Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training11 The benefits 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. My confidence has grown immensely.. I felt so much better after every walk It was great to be doing something active while making new friends.

Who we are Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training12 The Walking for Health team

Who we are Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training13 Support for you Scheme coordinators Walking for Health website Newsletters Fellow leaders

Accreditation Helps us to maintain some common standards across our schemes, creating a strong, consistent offer. It also helps us to keep our brand strong, raise our profile and secure added confidence from funders, partners, volunteers and participants. To find out more go to - walks/walking-for-health-accreditation Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training14

Physical activity 15 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 Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

Physical activity Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training16 Benefits and barriers I don’t have time It makes me happier

Why walk? Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training17 The physical benefits 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 Only a third of adults in the UK are active enough, but it doesn’t have to be this way...

Why walk? Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training18 The mental benefits “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 It’s not just about physical health, walking is great for body and mind...

Why not walk? Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training19 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 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

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… Walking for Health Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training20 Motivation to take part

Physical activity and mental health Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training21 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

23 ½ hours Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training22 Another view point

Coffee break Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training23

What makes an ideal walk leader? 24 Activity Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

The walk leader’s role Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training25

Looking after yourself Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training26 Because your health is important too!

Leading a safe walk Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training27 Recces and risk assessments Recces Give you knowledge and confidence Risk assessments -For safety -For insurance

Components of a health walk Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training28 Activity Before At the start During After

Leading a health walk Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training29 Top tips Knowledgeable Equipped Welcoming Friendly Observant Empowering

Demo walk Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training30

Lunch Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training31

Managing a group of walkers Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training32 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?

Dealing with difficult scenarios Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training33 Activity I’m going to shout at people if we don’t do what I want to do I’m wearing flip flops I don’t want to fill out the health questionnaire

Paperwork and the database Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training34 What we all need to know

Insurance Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training35 What it is and what it covers Walking is one of the safest outdoor activities Civil liability NOT personal accident Trained walk leader on Walking for Health activities

First aid Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training36 Our advice We recommend walk leaders receive training It’s not an insurance requirement for us Individual schemes will have their own policies British Red Cross advice

Route planning (optional) Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training37 Finding the right way

Coffee break Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training38

Walking and mental health What words would you relate to someone with a mental health problem? How could you tell if someone has a mental health problem? Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training39 Activity

Walk and Talk Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training40 Relax Listen Present Reflect Human Signpost Avoid judgement Nod and smile Allow them to finish Be in the moment Avoid rehearsing a response Summarise and repeat back to show you have listened Connect as a person “That must have been difficult” Give contact details of relevant organisations Adopt an open body posture

Understanding learning disabilities Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training41 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?

Mental health & learning disabilities Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training42 The differences Mental health problems...Learning disabilities......can occur at any time...affect the way you think, feel and behave...can be treated with therapy or drugs, which can help some people...you have from birth...affect the way you learn, communicate & understand...cannot be treated medically and are lifelong

Communication tips Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training43 Speaking to someone with learning disabilities The right place Check you’ve understood Open questions Watch body language Take your time Use visual aids Break down information

Your next steps Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training44 Working towards your certificate

Your manual Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training45 Let’s take a look

Training summary Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training46 Review of the aims of the day Understand Walking for Health Understand the benefits of walking Getting to know the role of walk leader Gain confidence and knowledge needed to lead a health walk and complete the required paperwork

Thank you! Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training47