How to Become a Walk Leader
Being a walk leader is rewarding and worthwhile so please consider volunteering for this essential role. This article outlines the process of becoming a walk leader but you can lead your first walk without going through the process, as long as there is another leader on your walk. We can add your name as the contact.
To be a walk leader you must first create an account on the national Ramblers website if you have not already done so (you may have created an account when you joined). Once you have an account, contact a committee member or use the Contact Us page and give us your membership number and postcode. The Membership Secretary, Programme Secretary or Chair will then be able to register you as a volunteer walk leader for the Northampton group.
Once you are registered as a walk leader, log on to the Ramblers national website, click on Go Walking from the top menu, scroll down and select Walk Leadership and then click on Training Library. The training is compulsory for new walk leaders but it is not difficult or demanding, You will probably already know most of it but you may pick up a few useful points. If you do find the idea of online training daunting then one of the committee will be pleased to guide you through it.
Please note that once you are registered as a walk leader it may take a few days before you can see the Walks Manager to enter walks. Ramblers Northampton have a Walks Coordinator for each of our regular walking days so you just agree with them on which day you are going to organise your walk and then enter the details on Walks Manager which is on the national Ramblers website. If you don't want to enter your own walks on Walks Manager then the Programme Secretary or Webmaster will be pleased to do it for you.
The walks coordinators are:
Wednesday Walks: Derek Barlow
Friday Walks: Paul Simmonds
Saturday Walks: Joan Holley
Sunday Walks: Paul Simmonds
You can speak to one of the walk coordinators whilst on a walk, or their contact details are in the Members' Area of the website.
Before planning your first couple of walks, why not get in touch with an experienced walk leader who will gladly guide you through the process and accompany you on a recce. Choose walks in an area with which you are fairly familiar.
Ramblers central office have produced a Walk Leader's handbook. Click here to download a pdf version of the Walk Leaders' Handbook
Ramblers Northampton have also produced guidance for walk leaders based on local knowledge and experience Click here to read the Ramblers Northampton Walk Leaders' Guidance
Please remember that existing walk leaders or committee members will be pleased to help with the online training and entering walks on Walk Manager for you.
⇒ Go to How to put a walk on Walks Manager article