Stalbridge Walkers
Walk Timetable - current monthPlease check our page on the surgery website - current month timetable.
Stalbridge Walkers - the way forwardWhen we launched our group on November 15th 2007, it was with the support of Walk Leader Training from the Primary Care Trust, under the ‘umbrella’ of the ‘Walking for Health Initiative’ (WHI). Amongst other things, this meant that trained leaders had basic Public Liability insurance. The Walking for Health scheme has now stated that unless we become an ‘accredited’ group, we will no longer be covered by this insurance. To become accredited Groups must:
- Offer led health walks for beginners (these need to be reasonably flat walks with no stiles that last under one hour)
- Meet Walking for Health safety and insurance standards for all walks (this means ‘risk assessing’ each route before each walk, keeping walk registers and making sure all walkers complete a health questionnaire.)
- Collect basic monitoring information (and submit data to WfH).
One of the advantages of our group is that there is no ‘membership’ as such – we have grown from a shared interest in, and enjoyment of, walking. If we have to restrict our walks in this way, it could deter leaders, mean additional paperwork, and inhibit our flexibility. Large schemes (for example the Dorchester Strollers) have sufficient leaders, and choice and diversity of walk routes to enable them to become accredited, but we in Stalbridge are limited – hence the occasional ‘out of town’ or ‘adventurous’ walks.
We have decided therefore that we will not apply to become an accredited scheme. This means that the leaders will no longer be covered by public liability insurance (not that we have ever had occasion to claim) and we will no longer be using the Walking for Health logo. It also means that we will not collect health questionnaires, nor take the register.
We will continue with the walks, and all will be welcome. There will be walk leaders, and back markers, who will - as always befits responsible leaders – alert walkers to obvious hazards en route, and ensure that no-one goes missing. Walkers themselves will be asked to inform the leaders if they have any health problems – not in great detail, but purely so that they can be aware – and also to inform the leaders if they intend to leave the group during the walk.
All sporting and leisure activities have inherent hazards associated with them and walking is no exception. In spite of the safety of walkers always being of paramount concern, accidents will occasionally occur. It is important therefore that when walking with our group, each walker appreciates that they have a responsibility to identify potential hazards - walkers are to be responsible for their own safety.
Stalbridge Surgery are aware of the ‘change of direction’ - we have been fortunate in having their support, and we are pleased that this will continue.
So – please come and join us in 2010 – we look forward to seeing you!
JW 29/12/2009