Vwl training slides 29 44

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Section 4: The paperwork

•Route planning and risk assessment•Health walk forms•Special conditions



Route Planning



Risk Assessment


Outdoor Health Questionnaire

• Information is input into the national database

• Important for evaluation and funding!

• Check all sections are completed

• Look for two signatures• Stress confidentiality.


Special conditions

• Most chronic health conditions improve with gentle activity like walking

• Walking is very low risk• Walking can be adapted for any pace and ability• The VWL is NOT expected to be a health expert• Recommend a GP consent letter or verbal

agreement before starting to walk• Check health status before each walk


Registers• Fill in before the walk• Record of attendance• Know who is with you• Useful for evaluation of

numbers and frequency of walkers

• Check all have returned• Send to SC after walk


Accident Report Forms

• Essential in the (rare) case of an accident

• Complete as soon as possible after the walk

• Get witness statements• Copy and send to SC


• NE carries adequate third party insurance for all its health walks

• Scheme Coordinators register new walk leaders

• Enquiries to: [email protected] Tel: 03000 600 338

Insurance

mailto:[email protected]


Section 5: The Volunteer Walk Leader •The ‘ideal’ walk leader•Role and responsibilities •Managing walkers•Motivating and attracting walkers



Walk Leader’s Responsibilities• Before the walk meets

– Route planning/Risk assessment/Promotion

• At the start of the walk– Register/Outdoor Health Questionnaire– Clothing and footwear check– Mobile phone/Whistle/Walkie talkie

• During the walk– Monitoring/Pace/Communication/Motivation

• After the walk– Head count/Register completion/Socialise.


The Ideal Walk Leader

Friendly

Approachable

Reliable and punctual

Enthusiastic

Observant (People and

route)

Completes appropriate paperwork

Familiar with route

Makes the walk a social

occasion


Managing a group of walkers


Motivating Walkers

Keep them coming back!

Help them to achieve 5 x 30 minutes

Become a ‘Walking Ambassador’ and spread the walking message to others.


Aims of Today

• Be aware of the health benefits of regular walking

• Be familiar with the paperwork required • Know how to plan a route and recognise hazards• Understand the role of the leader at the start,

during and at the end of a Health Walk• Be confident and happy to lead a health walk.


What Next?

• Action planning and ‘Pledge postcard’

• Date of leading/helping first walk

• Thank-you!• Don’t forget evaluation

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Education

Vwl training slides 29 44