Each year the Ramblers offers thousands of Your group will welcome you into your role and walks all over England, Scotland and Wales. ensure you know what’s involved and highlight Leading walks is the most popular volunteer role the key information you need. at the Ramblers. If you are new to volunteering with us, we have a This factsheet guides you through how to get short Ramblers Volunteer Welcome e-Learning started in this exciting and popular role. course.
complete this short induction. Have a chat with people on your committee to find out what its like to be a walk leader in your • Support and questions group and to help decide if this role is right for you. They can tell you more about what it Your local committee will be in touch and help involves and how they can support you. you know where to get help and support for the different questions you might have. Take some
things like: All volunteers must be recorded on our volunteer website, Assemble. • advertising your walk on the Group Walks and Event management system This will give you access to volunteer news, all (GWEM) the important documents and updates from the • sharing photos and stories of your walks Ramblers. It is also essential for our insurance on social media that walk leaders are recorded with the • safely storing your risk assessments Ramblers. Assemble is the central place for • claiming expenses volunteer support and information.
We have developed e-Learning training that has If you’re not recorded yet and cannot access been designed for volunteer walk leaders. It’s Assemble, simply ask your committee to email us called Walk Leader Foundations. at volunteersupport@ramblers.zendesk.com You can access it by going to the training tab on and tell us: Assemble. • Your name • All groups you will lead walks for • Email address Take a preview of the Walk Leader • Membership number (if you are a Foundations course here member) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He
help to build your confidence and give you the key information and foundations for your role. The skills you need will be determined by the kinds of walks you lead. You don’t need any Specific guidance and support materials are formal qualifications to lead walks with the available on the Document Hub on Assemble. Ramblers, but you may choose to develop more Once you are recorded as a walk leader all these advanced skills in navigation, first aid, or walk documents will be available to you. Some of the leadership. most important documents for walk leaders include: You can take advanced training with providers such as: • Risk assessment guidance and template • Incident reporting forms Mountain Training Association. They • Ramblers guide to insurance coordinate thousands of courses across the UK by a range of providers. www.mountain-
It is natural for you to feel a little nervous on our National Navigation Awards Scheme. NAAS first few walks, but your group will be a good coordinate navigation training across the UK by a source of support. Experienced walk leaders can range of providers. www.nnas.org.uk act as great buddies and mentors to help you find your feet and build your confidence. Other training providers are also available in different parts of GB. Check out their credentials Ask someone from your group, who you know and reviews to ensure you get the very best in and trust, to help you lead your first walks. Or quality and experience. spend some time with them as you are planning a walk to get their tips and advice.
Having a coffee with a trusted group member If you are in England and Wales stay in touch by after a walk can be a good chance to reflect on emailing us at what went well, and anything you may do volunteersupport@ramblers.zendesk.com differently next time. In Scotland you can email the team at We have a factsheet on Buddying new walk
leaders that you can find in the Document Hub on Assemble.
opportunities to meet with other walk leaders, develop new skills and keep up to date on Recruiting and inducting new walk changes. Look out for information on: leaders Buddying new walk leaders • Online meetings and conversations • Face to face training courses • e-Learning opportunities • Volunteer and membership events and gatherings We promote these events through our monthly Volunteer Newsletter and by email, so keep an eye on your inbox for the latest learning and development opportunities.
Page 2 of 2 Last updated: Jan 2021