Training for volunteer walk leaders is a one-day course for anyone willing and able to lead walks in the community. It is a day of practical advice and is run locally in areas where there is a potential or existing "walking for health" scheme. It includes practice in leading a walk and information on keeping people motivated.

Follow up support is provided to help people make the most of their new skills.

Walking the way to Health Training Service can be contacted by email: whitraining@active-lifestyles.co.uk

There are two ways to gain access to this course:

1. Cascade Training: WHI has trained up a number of local trainers who are able to provide training in and around their own area. Email whitraining@active-lifestyles.co.uk for more details. Cascade trainers normally provide training free of charge (see below).

2. Schemes can pay the full cost of the training and book it through the WHI Training Office. The cost for the day is £795 + VAT and includes the provision of training manuals and course administration. Email the training office - whitraining@active-lifestyles.co.uk - for an application form.

Training Office contact details:
WHI Training Office
Renelec House
46 New Park Street
Devizes
SN10 1DT
Tel: 01380 728832
Please note: the Training Office is open Mon - Thurs from 9.30 - 2.30

(Cascade trainers charging for Walk leader Training: WHI provides cascade training to people willing to train volunteer walk leaders locally either for their own scheme or other local schemes. The training takes a day and is provided free of charge by the WHI training team. All materials used in the training are either provided free to cascade trainers or can be downloaded via the Learning Network. The training office in Devizes is there to provide advice. WHI does all this so that local would-be volunteer walk leaders are able to access training local to them and free of charge.

WHI does not encourage cascade trainers to make a charge for training other than for venue and out of pocket expenses. Imposing charges limits accessibility of training for some groups and excludes others entirely and is against the spirit of what WHI is trying to do. If you are uncertain whether the trainers in your area charge for their services, contact your local Regional Case Officer and they will put you in contact with people who provide free training in your area.)

Walk Leader Training Pack for people with Learning Disabilities - A training pack endorsed by WHI.

Step To It diary/walking pack for people with Learning Difficulties - A 10-week diary endorsed by WHI.

Please contact whitraining@active-lifestyles.co.uk for either of the above.

Insurance

Because of concern about liability - if a participant in a local scheme breaks a leg or suffers a heart attack, for example - we have developed good practice advice and arranged insurance.

Volunteer walk leaders who have completed the WHI training can take advantage of free insurance cover. If the walk leader is part of a wider scheme, he or she will be insured provided the scheme co-ordinator has:

(a) applied for insurance, and
(b) had their application approved and received a letter confirming insurance cover.

If the walk leader is leading walks on their own and doesn't belong to a scheme, they will need to apply on their own behalf.

Please note, a scheme is not insured unless the applicant has received a letter from WHI Headquarters confirming cover. For further information or if you need an application form, please telephone WHI on 01242 533258.

Concern about liability is often exaggerated - walking is a low risk activity and the safety record of "walking for health" schemes is also very impressive. We have been able to arrange good value insurance cover because insurers recognise that the risks are low.

To look at Frequently Asked Questions about insurance, click here