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Planning a scheme

Out on a health walk

There are many things to consider when planning a new health walk scheme.

Guidance note 2: Planning a scheme (opens pdf) of our 'How to set up a health walk scheme' publication goes into detail about what you'll need to know.

Below is a flavour of some of the key things you should consider when planning a scheme.

Identify local needs and target groups

You'll need to decide whether your group is open to anyone or targeting people. For example, you may wish to target people with particular health issues, a particular social group or age group.

It will help if you can find out what the local priorities and inequalities are in terms of health needs. You can find this information from your regional Public Health Observatory website. Local Area Agreement data is available on your regional Government Office website.

If you are targeting particular groups, think about their particular barriers and motivations. You may need to give special encouragement to people who have a health condition, to reassure them that health walks are safe.

6 ways to collection information and tell people about health walks:

  1. Talk to GP practices.
  2. Talk to local organisations, e.g. schools or community groups.
  3. Hold a public meeting, and invite people to a taster health walk.
  4. Distribute simple questionnaires through the local press or libraries.
  5. Contact your health authority to find out what the health needs of your community are.
  6. Link to local health condition groups. Many national charities such as Mind, the Stroke Association, Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation have local groups.

Liz Pierce, of Broxtowe Walk & Talk, Nottinghamshire, says:

We started with a public meeting called ‘Want to Walk More’ and found a group of people who were interested in having local health walks. The planning took time but was worth it – now, six years on, we have more than 600 people involved.

Basic ingredients – rationale, aim and objectives

This will help you make sure your walk scheme is well understood and credible.

  • Rationale. Make use of local evidence to explain why Walking for Health is needed in your area.
  • Aim. A simple summary of what your scheme is about. Keep it straightforward and motivating. Here is an example from Walking for Life! in Shropshire:
    'To increase the physical activity levels of the people of Shropshire; in particular those who currently lead sedentary lifestyles and have more barriers to participating in physical activity and accessing the countryside, eg people with mental health problems, learning difficulties, sensory impairment.'
  • Objectives. Specific actions which support your aim. e.g. setting up 4 walk routes over the next year; increasing the number of walkers recruited by 10% in 6 months etc.

The role of the co-ordinator

The role of the co-ordinator will vary in scope and specification depending on the type and size of your scheme. Bearing this in mind, here is a sample job description and a list of the tasks a co-ordinator might be expected to cover.

Job description
To promote and increase physical activity levels through health walking within local communities in the area, targeting people who are socially excluded, people with disabilities and people in areas of high deprivation.

Main tasks

  1. Identify local health needs that could be met through health walks.
  2. Recruit Volunteer Walk Leaders, arrange their training and insurance. Provide on-going monitoring and support.
  3. Develop a programme of accessible led walks throughout the local area.
  4. Design and produce walk programmes for the scheme and an independent walks pack.
  5. Oversee risk assessments for each walking route.
  6. Monitor and evaluate the progress of each walking group within the scheme. Ensure they have the training and resources to enter data onto the national WfH database. Collect quarterly statistics from this database and feed back to the walking groups.
  7. Identify and exploit opportunities for publicising thes cheme. Market and promote the walks to both the local community and health professionals through presentations, events and press releases.
  8. Liaise with health professionals to maximise opportunities for patient recommendations to the scheme.
  9. Liaise with wide range of local organisations, including social and health support groups, amenity societies and other appropriate bodies to raise awareness of the scheme.
  10. Develop and maintain an input into local health and sustainable transport strategies and initiatives.
  11. Secure funding to support the development of the scheme and effectively manage associated budgets.
  12. Arrange and attend steering group meetings with partners and work with this group to review progress, forward plan and develop the scheme.

The role of the volunteer walk leader

This will vary according to the size and requirements of the scheme but may include:

  • completing the WfH walk leader training
  • leading health walks at least once a week/month
  • ensuring safety of all participants on the walk
  • having a sound knowledge of the local area
  • attending monthly meetings
  • circulating information provided by co-ordinator to walkers
  • assisting with local promotion of walks
  • completing a first aid course.

Qualities that make someone a good Walk Leader:

  • Friendly and approachable
  • Makes the walk a ‘social occasion’
  • Enthusiasm
  • Reliability and punctuality
  • Observant (route hazards / people in difficulties)
  • Familiar with route
  • Fills in the appropriate paperwork

Everyone will bring their own set of unique skills to the walk leader role, and will no doubt pick up a few more skills along the way. You needn't be super-fit to become a walk leader.

Useful links:

Establish local support and partnerships

Your health walk scheme is more likely to have long-term success if it can become sustainable. Aim to set up your scheme in such a way that, if funding comes to an end and a co-ordinator post finishes, the walks will continue.

Calculate potential costing

Don’t worry!... Getting a modest scheme off the ground need not involve large sums of money.

The direct costs involved in setting up a scheme can include:

  • Producing promotional materials – sponsorship may be appropriate. WfH has produced a variety of downloadable templates which could help you.
  • Volunteers’ expenses.
  • Volunteer Walk Leader training.
  • Marketing costs.
  • Monitoring and evaluation costs – allow about 10% of your budget to do this well.
  • Time spent on fundraising.
  • Co-ordinator’s wages – if appropriate.

Find funding

Fundraising is about finding the right source of support to make your scheme happen. It might not necessarily be money you need. Finding funds and creating partnerships is time-consuming so plan well in advance, and build the time spent doing this into the initial cost of your scheme.

Useful funding links:

You might also want to contact your local authority for possible funding opportunities. Or you could even approach local companies to sponsor, say, waterproof jackets or incentive prizes such as pedometers.

Remember: having WfH accreditation will boost your fundraising chances.

Monitor and evaluate scheme and walkers

National evaluation

Walking for Health uses an Outdoor Health Questionnaire and online database to monitor participation. We are able to break this down by a range of variables - for example region, age, gender, health conditions etc.

Local evaluation

Your scheme may also wish, or be required to, carry out monitoring and evaluation at a local level. There are 4 things to remember here:

  • Define specific objectives for the evaluation - e.g. increase walking among participants; increase in number of people participating.
  • Decide the best method for collecting data.
  • Consider who will collect it and when, how frequently and how much it will cost.
  • Consider how the information will be interpreted and reported.

Walker feedback

A well thought-out questionnaire might be a useful tool to find out the strenghts and weaknesses of your scheme through the eyes of the user. Quotes, photos and feedback from participants might help you attract future support.

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