Notes For Walk Leaders

Notes for Walk Leaders

Thanks for volunteering to lead a walk for Stag Walkers. Please read the notes below before your walk.

Before the walk

Please check the following:

• Insurance: You must be registered as a volunteer walk leader with the Ramblers. If unsure if you're registered, email the group walks coordinators.
• Training:
  • New leaders must log into the Ramblers’ online training, read and sign up to the Walk Leader Handbook, and complete the e-learning modules: Walk Leadership Foundations and Preventing and Managing Incidents.
  • Experienced leaders: between now and the end of 2025 you must read the Walk Leader Handbook, and either complete the two e-learning modules or self-assess alternative experience: a walk leadership qualification from the Mountain Training Association, or 12 walks led for a Ramblers or Wellbeing Walks group in the last 3 years.
• Risk Assessment: Consider completing a risk assessment form for each walk: Risk Assessment Form.
• Ramblers App: If happy to register walkers, download the Ramblers App to your phone before the walk.
• What to bring: Bring a basic first aid kit (including face mask and gloves), a fully-charged mobile phone, and a map.
• Ramblers Values: As a volunteer, adhere to the Ramblers Values:

The Ramblers Values

Our values are the core principles that guide us daily in our work and our membership of the Ramblers. We all share the passion that walking is for everyone and by living our shared values we can ensure the Ramblers is an organisation to be proud of. Our values will earn trust for the Ramblers brand which will allow us to open up a world of walking opportunities for even more people.

• Inclusive: We make everyone feel welcome and part of the Ramblers community. We make sure we all feel respected and accepted and know our contributions make a difference in achieving our mission.
• Inspiring: We strive to inspire people through the way we act and the things we say. We channel our passion and ambition so others are moved to help us achieve our mission.
• Empowering: We empower and encourage each other to make a positive contribution to our teams and the Ramblers. We do all we can to make sure everyone has the ability, and feels confident, to take action.
• Responsible: We take responsibility for ourselves and those around us seriously, by always acting in a safe and supportive way. We care about the environment and make sure we do what we say we will do.

At the start point

• Arrive at least 15 minutes early at the walk start point (or meeting point) ready to welcome walkers.
• If the location is hard to find, stand near the entrance (if safe to do so) so people can see you.
• You might like to introduce yourself to people as they arrive.

Walker registration

• This can take a little time so it’s a good idea to start registering people as soon as they arrive. This also gives you a chance to introduce yourself to people.
• You can register attendees yourself or ask someone else to help (e.g. a committee member, but it can be any member with the Ramblers App installed).
• Be discreet when asking for details; if adding details manually, it is often easier if you pass your phone to the person being registered so they can input their own details.
• Registering existing members:
  • Select attendees by name (ask permission first) or scan their membership cards.
  • If you can’t find a member’s name or they are from another group, scan their card or add manually under the 'Member' tab (first name, surname, postcode).
  • Scan the square QR code on the card (not the line barcode).
• Registering new walkers:
  • Ask non-members if they are happy to give their details (registration is optional).
  • Enter details manually under the ‘Non-member’ tab (first name, surname, postcode, email).
  • Ask walkers if they are happy to receive emails from the Ramblers before ticking the ‘opt in’ box at the bottom (please ask rather than leaving people to tick the box as people can miss this if not prompted). This allows a few welcome emails to be sent by the Ramblers membership team and our group membership secretary.
• Submitting the register:
  • Select yourself as walk leader before submitting.
  • The App will confirm successful submission.

Walk introduction

• Once everyone has arrived and is ready, explain a little bit about the walk:
  • A brief summary including walk length (miles)
  • Potential hazards (e.g. road walking or livestock - see below)
  • Refreshment/rest breaks (mention whether or not there are any pub stops/toilets)
• Alert walkers about any tricky parts of the walk (e.g. road crossing, fast road, cattle in field) and offer suitable advice (i.e. crossing roads in small groups, single file walking on roads, keep grouped together near cattle and walk slowly, avoiding cows with calves at foot).
• If there are any walkers new to the Ramblers, please give a summary of our group and the Ramblers charity - see 'In case of new walkers' below.
• For large groups, especially if you have a lot of new walkers, ask for a Ramblers member to be a back marker to keep the group together; on longer walks, ask for back markers for before and after lunch. Check how you will communicate with the back marker(s) during the walk. For very large groups, you may also wish to have a middle marker.
• Request people inform the back marker if taking an unplanned toilet break or leaving the walk early, so you don’t lose anybody. We recommend saying:

  We don’t leave anyone behind, but please respect the pace of the group, keep the person in front of you in sight and keep in front of the back marker. If you’re taking photos, make sure to keep up with everyone else. If you need to stop or if you decide to leave early, make sure you tell the back marker.

• Take a head count before you set off - you can ask your back marker to do a head count too.

In case of new walkers

• If there are new people (and the group isn’t too large) encourage everyone to introduce themselves by name.
• Point out committee members, who would be happy to answer any questions about Stag Walkers and the Ramblers.
• Mention that if any photos are taken during the walk, these may be used on our social media pages; if anyone doesn’t want to be in a photo, they can tell a committee member.
• Say:

  Stag Walkers is a Ramblers walking group aimed at people in their 20s, 30s and a bit beyond, but everyone is welcome to walk with us. The Ramblers is Great Britain’s walking charity - helping people get out on foot and protecting the places we love to walk. Non-members are welcome to try three Ramblers group walks before becoming a member to continue walking with us. Membership costs £45.00 per year or £3.75 a month - please ask any of the committee if you’d like more information.

• You could also mention some of the benefits of joining the Ramblers, e.g. walking with any Ramblers group, attending member-only socials and weekends away, receiving Walk magazine and (in our Ramblers Area) Stile journal, getting discounts with many outdoors shops and other partners, and supporting the charitable work of the Ramblers.

Donations

• If you’re happy to ask for donations from non-members, you may say:

  As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to the Ramblers until they become a full member. This is entirely voluntary but if you would like to do so you can donate at the Ramblers website - ramblers.org.uk

• Donations may also be given in cash to you or a committee member.
• Note any donations or keep these separately for payment to the Stag Walkers account.

Before setting off

• You may wish to allow a few minutes in case of latecomers but this is at your discretion (normally 5-10 minutes at most).
• If you have any doubts about the suitability of anyone in the group to complete your walk (fitness, unsuitable clothing, lack of water etc.) you can refuse to take them on the walk,
• Dogs are allowed at the walk leader’s discretion and must be kept on a lead – be aware of any sections of your route where dogs are not allowed e.g. through some churchyards and some public parks or certain nature reserves.
• Be aware of the needs of any vulnerable people in the group and those with visual/audio impairment and offer discreet assistance if required.
• If there are any children in the group (under the age of 18) they MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

During the walk

• Conduct head counts during the walk, e.g. after refreshment breaks, to make sure you haven't lost anyone.
• Offer brief rest stops every so often for water (especially after hills!) and perhaps a snack. Let the group know roughly how much time to expect at each rest stop, and give a warning a few minutes before setting off again.
• Keep aware of the pace of the group - you may need to adjust your own pace if required (e.g. if you are naturally fast) or ask the group to adjust accordingly (e.g. for those at the front to slow down if some are getting ahead of you).
• Check in with the back marker and other walkers to see how the group is getting on - not just those walking around you while you lead.
• Be flexible and dynamic depending on the conditions of the day; plans may need to change, e.g. if the weather is bad, especially in more remote areas or on challenging terrain.
• If you encounter any difficulties or are unsure of anything, don't hesitate to ask for advice from other volunteers or experienced walkers. You can also delegate tasks if required.
• Try to take a few photos if you can, to be shared on our social media (a fun group portrait is especially welcome!). Make sure you ask if anyone doesn't want to be in the group portrait.
• Enjoy yourself! Don't forget to take some time to appreciate the walk you've chosen and to chat with other walkers.

At the end of the walk

• Make sure you haven’t lost anyone!
• Thank the group for attending and the back-marker(s) for helping.
• Tell the group about the next few walk(s) and social events and encourage them to attend.
• Encourage new people to join the Ramblers after a couple of walks.
• Remind people to contribute to their driver if car-sharing.
• Depending where you finish, you might like to suggest a social drink at a local pub or cafe before you all go home.

After the walk

• Submit the register on the Ramblers App, if it's not been done already.
• Report any issues or incidents to the Chair ASAP. This includes any actual incidents with people, animals, or near misses. If you’re not sure whether it should be classed as an incident, please ask the Chair.
• If you’ve taken any donations, contact the committee for our group account details and transfer payment to the Stag Walkers account.
• Post any photos on our Facebook group and/or Meetup group.
• Take pleasure in having given back to your group and be assured that your efforts are much appreciated!
• After a while - perhaps consider planning another walk…?

Walk Leader Checklist

Thanks for volunteering to lead a walk for Stag Walkers. It might be helpful to bring this checklist with you to the walk for ready reference!

Download as PDF

At the start point

• Arrive early at the walk start point
• Introduce yourself to walkers as they arrive
• Register members and non-members (or ask someone to help)
• Ask permission before registering anyone

Walk introduction

• Explain the walk:
  • Length (miles)
  • Potential hazards or tricky parts (e.g. road walking/crossings, livestock)
  • Refreshment/rest breaks
• Ask for a back marker if it’s a big group or there are lots of new walkers
• Request people let you/the back marker know if they need to leave/take a break
• Remind the group to keep together
• Take a head count before you set off
• Remind those with dogs that they must stay on a lead
• If there are any walkers new to the Ramblers, explain a bit about what we do

New walkers

• Encourage introductions if the group is not too large
• Point out committee members
• Mention that photos may be used on social media; anyone not wishing to be in photos should inform a committee member
• Say:

  Stag Walkers is a Ramblers walking group aimed at people in their 20s, 30s and a bit beyond, but everyone is welcome to walk with us. The Ramblers is Great Britain’s walking charity - helping people get out on foot and protecting the places we love to walk. Non-members are welcome to try three Ramblers group walks before becoming a member to continue walking with us. Membership costs £45.00 per year or £3.75 a month - please ask any of the committee if you’d like more information.

• If you’re happy to ask for donations, you may say:

  As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to the Ramblers until they become a full member. This is entirely voluntary but if you would like to do so you can donate at the Ramblers website - ramblers.org.uk

During the walk

• Conduct head counts during the walk
• Offer rest stops for water and snacks
• Adjust the pace as needed
• Check in with the back marker and other walkers
• Be flexible; ask for advice if needed
• Take some photos
• Enjoy yourself!

End of the walk

• Thank the group and back marker(s)
• Tell the group about the next few events and encourage them to attend
• Encourage new people to join the Ramblers after a couple of walks
• Remind people to contribute to their driver if car-sharing
• Offer a social drink locally if desired

After the walk

• Submit the walk register
• Report any issues to the Chair
• Contact the committee regarding any donations, and pay these in
• Share any photos
• Give yourself a pat on the back and perhaps think about the next walk!