Active Calderdale organised Walk Leader Training in May and June 2024, with the aim of encouraging individuals and organisations throughout Calderdale to set up walks in their local communities. Three training days were held (at Halifax Town Hall, the ROKT Foundation in Brighouse and Hebden Bridge Town Hall) giving as many people as possible the opportunity to attend.
The training was delivered by Chris Johnson from North of England Activities and Training (a registered charity) and the programme covered:
- Access & Conservation (rights of way, transport, cultural issues, disability access, human impacts)
- Planning & Preparation (the walkers, proposed route, weather, permissions, risk assessment)
- Equipment (suitability, design and condition, maintenance)
- Navigation (map reading, time and distance, direction, plotting routes etc)
- Group Leadership (leadership qualities, responsibility, supervision, head counts)
- First Aid, Accidents & Emergencies
A total of 62 people attended with a good mix of individuals and representatives from organisations* throughout Calderdale. Several services from Calderdale Council were also present, including Citizens Advice, the Children & Young People’s Service, Adult Social Services, Libraries, and Healthy Homes.
In addition to the training, these events provided excellent networking opportunities, with organisations exchanging ideas and arranging to link in with each other going forward.
Early feedback suggestions were taken on board and the training was adapted slightly for the sessions in Brighouse and Hebden Bridge. Here is some of the feedback received:
"Expectations exceeded. The training was really informative, and I found it enjoyable. The trainer was very knowledgeable and skilled on the subject matter."
"It covered a lot of ground, but in a way that was accessible and engaging."
"Thank you for a fab day. I was very impressed with Chris's delivery, content and timing! Years of experience making it look effortless! It exceeded my expectations – the pace, content and delivery were wonderful; it takes a lot to hold my attention for 6 hours, but it was fascinating – superb!"
"I was apprehensive about the training taking a full day but thoroughly enjoyed it. Just the right level to maintain interest whilst staying relevant."
"The training was even better than I expected, it was great!!! Just so interesting."
"I did ponder how on earth anyone would fill 6 hours on walk training and I was very wrong, I learnt so much and found it all fascinating. My colleague is all fired up now too, and it was so helpful to impress the importance of risk assessment and preparation for her."
We will be following up with the attendees in September to ask what they’ve achieved as a result of the training, however, we are delighted that some progress has already been made, as follows:
The Kindness Café in Todmorden runs a weekly walk on Wednesdays, starting at 12.30 for 1.5 to 2 hours. These walks are for clients and anyone from the community. They do a loop, starting at the Kindness Café, heading out in different directions, utilising the canal at the start or end of the walk.
The Arch-Way Project in Halifax have set up ‘Mindful Miles’, weekly one-mile walks around Savile Park, every Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. Contact Pam for further information – Tel: 01422 251613 or e-mail: pam@archwayproject.org.uk.
Project Colt in Elland has expanded their new Boot 66 walks. Their weekly ‘Friday Strolls’ start at 1.30 and are (as the name suggests!) leisurely walks, enabling people to connect and chat whilst out in the fresh air. Interest is growing and they have already received enquiries from NHS Social Prescribing Teams, Curious Motion and the Laura Mitchell Centre.
Active Calderdale currently has a waiting list of 20 who were unable to attend the training sessions held in May and June, and are planning to arrange more in September 2024. Please contact Eileen Kelly at activecalderdale@calderdale.gov.uk if you would like to set up walks in Calderdale and are interested in attending future walk leader training.
*Organisations that were present included Home Start, Unmasked Mental Health, Halifax Society for the Blind, Project Colt, The Basement Project, The Kindness Café, Grass Roots CIC, Overgate Hospice, Curious Motion, Halifax Heritage Tours, Best You Health, Halifax Rambling & Social Club, Healthy Minds, St Augustine’s, Unique Community Hub, ROKT Foundation, Noah’s Ark, Cornholme Running Wild, Soul Wellness Hub, East Pennine Orienteering, Arch-Way Project, Cargodale and Staying Well.