Introduction
Walk This Way is a walking programme that involves a series of short lunchtime or after school health walks for primary school aged children. The programme was initiated by and is facilitated through Active Schools.
The programme was introduced in April 2006 within 3 primary schools across the Dunfermline and West Fife area (St Margaret’s RC Primary School, St Serf’s RC Primary School and Holy Name RC Primary School.
Aim
Walk This Way aims to provide opportunities for primary 1–7 school children to take part in a series of structured health walks that are fun, safe and enjoyable. This will assist with their personal and social development as well as helping develop positive attitudes towards the environment and physical activity in later life.
Objectives
- To increase children’s level of physical activity through the introduction of a series of health walks that provide a safe, fun , enjoyable experience for all participants
- To educate primary children on the benefits of health walks
- To promote interest in the local environment and walking in general
- To involve each local community through outreach work and the recruitment of parents, volunteers and other community workers.
Personnel
This programme has involved the recruitment of one part time community walk leader and the recruitment of a number of walk leader volunteers to lead lunchtime walks within the three primary schools. Each School has also provided a member of staff to attend the walks to ensure that there is a ratio of 1 adult to 8 children on each walk. There is also one School Nurse and one local community Worker that attends walks at St Serf’s RC Primary School and Holy Name RC Primary School.
Volunteer Recruitment Methods used:
- Forth Action radio advert
- Local poster advertising
- Volunteer centre advertising
- Local paper advertising
- Bums off Seats Newsletter add(Local adult walking programme)
- Outreach work with local community centres
- Fife Council website link/information
- Paths to Health website link
A volunteer manual has been devised to provide information for new volunteers. The information includes the following:
- Aims and objectives of the programme
- The volunteer job description
- Staff list, positions and contact numbers
- Walking procedures
- Walking activities
- Code of conduct
Funding & Sustainability
There has been approximately £13000 funding provided by Sportscotland which will fund the programme for the next year. The funding provides payment for the following:
Walk Leader Salary
Equipment (i.e. water proof clothing for volunteers and children)
Marketing material/stationary
Travel expenses for volunteers
Training
Staff Training
Staff training is provided by the national programme Paths to Health and the local Fife programme Bums off Seats. The training includes Walk Leader and Scheme Initiator training which is available to volunteers, Walk leaders and Active Schools Co-ordinators. First Aid is also provided by the St. Andrew Ambulance Service. Risk Management training is provided by Fife Council Education service for all Active School Co-ordinators. All training is paid for through the funding from the Walk This Way Programme.
Community Links/Partnerships Workings
There are a number of partners involved in this programme. The School Nurse from Holy Name RC Primary School and St Serf’s RC Primary School participate as a walk leader volunteer on a weekly basis, as well as the local community worker. Both partnerships work very well in that the school nurse is in a position to refer children with identified health related issues and the local community worker is in a position within the community to help recruit potential volunteers.
Future developments of this programme should include working with the local Ranger service to help educate children on local environmental issues.
Parents are also encouraged to attend the walks on a weekly basis as all schools send out letters, newsletters and flyer information. However, the disclosure Scotland check tends to discourage parents.
Health Walks
Parents are sent out a parent consent form with a covering letter and brochure. A detailed risk assessment is carried out by the Active School Co-ordinator and the Walk Leader on each mapped out walk for each school. All risk assessments are signed off by the School Head Teacher and are revised every 3 months.
There is a registration taken at the beginning of each walk to ensure correct numbers. Some school children are given pedometers to count the number of steps they take each week and record this back at the school. One class attends each walk weekly, with the same class participating for the whole term (There are approximately 100 children taking part in this programme each term). All school walks are fitted round the school lunch-time with the children being given an early lunch to provide time for the walk.
For further information contact:
Active Primary School Co-ordinator -James Fenna
Email: James.Fenna@Fife.gov.uk