1. WELCOME

2. 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
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

3. 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
Agenda
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

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

5. 600 schemes 3,400 walks 10,000 volunteers
10.15 – Walking for Health
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

6. 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

7. Our partnership The Ramblers Working for walkers from 1935....
....to today
Helping people to go walking...
10.20 – 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

8. 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 – (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

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

10. 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 – Why Walking for Health?
My confidence has grown immensely.. I felt so much better after every walk
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

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

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

13. 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

14. 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 – (PART 1)
ACTIVITY
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

15. 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
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

16. 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
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

17. 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
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

18. 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…
Other benefits
Sustainable transport
Sociable
+ Motivations
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

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

20. 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
PART 2
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

21. 23 ½ hours Another view point
11.35 – – play youtube clip – click on video to link through to internet
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

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

23. What makes an ideal walk leader?
Activity
11.55 – 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

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

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

26. Leading a safe walk Recces and risk assessments Recces
Give you knowledge and confidence
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

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

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

29. Demo walk
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

30. Lunch
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

31. 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?
Managing a group of walkers effectively
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

32. 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
– 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

33. Paperwork and the database
What we all need to know
– 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

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

35. 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
– Understanding first aid and practice
British Red Cross advice
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

36. Route planning (optional)
Finding the right way
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

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

38. 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?
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

39. 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
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

40. 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

41. 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
...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

42. Communication tips 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
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

43. The benefits of being a walk leader
Real stories
Walking for Health volunteer walk leader training

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

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

46. 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

47. 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