Building Confidence to Get Calderdale Walking

To coincide with National Walking Month, we were delighted to partner with Chris from North of England Activities and Training (NEAT) to deliver Walk Leader Training for staff and volunteers from Calderdale’s growing network of Active Travel Hubs.

Hosted by Project Colt in Elland, the session brought together fantastic representation from across the borough, including IOU Hostel (Hebden Bridge) and Ride, Roll & Stroll (Brighouse). It was a great opportunity to connect, share experiences and strengthen our collective commitment to helping more people move more in their everyday lives.

Supporting communities through walking

Walking is one of the simplest ways to support health and wellbeing, and the training focused on giving attendees the skills and confidence to lead safe, welcoming and inclusive walks within their communities.

Throughout the day, we covered a wide range of essential topics, including:

• Access & Conservation

• First Aid

• Accidents & Emergencies

• Planning & Preparation

• Equipment

• Group Leadership

• Navigation

To bring this learning to life, the group headed out to Elland Bridge Riverside Park, where participants had the opportunity to put their new navigation and map-reading skills into practice.

Participants developed:

• Skills and confidence to lead safe and inclusive walks

• A practical way to support local people to be more active

• Useful professional development to complement their current roles

  
  

Strengthening Active Travel Hubs

Our Active Travel Hubs play a vital role in encouraging people to choose active, sustainable ways to get around. By equipping staff and volunteers with walk leader training, we’re helping to build confidence and capacity across Calderdale, making it easier for local people to access supportive, friendly walking opportunities.

A collaborative approach

A huge thank you to Chris from NEAT for delivering an engaging and insightful session, and to Project Colt for hosting us in Elland. It’s partnerships like these that make a real difference in creating healthier, more connected communities.

We’re excited to see the impact this training will have as more walking opportunities appear across our hubs. For more information about the walking offer at your local Active Travel Hub, visit the websites below.

IOU Hostel Active Hub, Hebden Bridge

North Halifax Active Travel Hub, Ovenden & Mixenden

Project Colt, Elland