Information for Walk Leaders

Classify your walk as Stroll/Easy/Moderate/Enerrgetic. Mention any steep climbs and stiles.

Carry out a walkover (with your co-leader) of your proposed route. Ideally this should ne not more than two weeks beforehand. You may only need to check part of the route for any changes – overgrown, mud etc.

Consider all the points in the national u3a walk leaders risk assessment (a copy here – which may not be the latest!). Take action as you consider necessary.

Don’t be put off by the risk assessment it is mainly common sense, it might be helpful to write down your assessment.

Limit your walk to the number to that you think you can manage.

Have a co-leader to act as back-marker. Count the party at the start and at suitable points during the walk. The back marker needs to know the route in-case the party becomes split.

Take steps to obtain (and pass on) the leaders pack for the appropriate day. (Contains first aid kit, hi-viz vests if needed and anything else you might find useful – overshoes etc.)

Carry the walking group first aid kit; however remember you are probably not qualified to give advice on medicines or treatment.

Set a pace of about 2 miles per hour plus coffee and lunch/tea stops. Indicate on walk if lunch is to be late. Ensure thatthose finding the pace difficult have sufficient time to rest and recover, even if this is not favoured by the more energetic members.

Carry a map and a mobile phone. A GPS receiver or app is useful in pinpointing location.

If your walk is along roads where traffic is expected, use the hi-viz vest in the leaders pack for leader and back marker. Walk in single file and face on coming traffic except where visibility is obscured.

Ask for volunteers to write a short report and take photo’s to be forwarded to our archivist.

All walkers and leaders are covered by u3a third party insurance, even in the case of negligence, although it is assumed that all will conduct themselves with common sense.

Link to how/what to provide in walk details for our walks co-ordinator.