Community Walking Leader Training

Cavan Sports Partnership support the Irish Heart Foundation Walking Leader Training Programme

Duration: Weekend (11 hours total)

Community Walking Leader Training is primarily aimed at people wishing to lead a walking group or promote walking in the community or workplace. The course comprises of a weekend of training and a 4 week leader challenge.

Walking Leader Training Course Timetable 2016

Please contact tcurran@irishheart.ie for more information on the Walking Leader Training Programme.

If you would like to register for courses please complete the registration form and return to tcurran@irishheart.ie or post to Tara Curran, Irish Heart Foundation, 50 Ringsend Road, Dublin 4.

All courses and subject to demand and a minimum number of participants are required.

If you would like a Community Walking Leader Training Course held in your community please fill in this expression of interest form and send to tcurran@irishheart.ie

The Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Sports Council are subsidising the Walking Leader Training weekend and there is a nominal cost of €50. The course fee includes training, course materials and 2 lunches throughout the weekend.

All weekend courses start at 9.00am on Saturday morning and finish on Sunday afternoon (please see timetable below).

Course Content

• Current recommendations for health enhancing physical activity for adults, and how they relate to walking
• The main elements of a health-enhancing walking session
• Prescribing walking programmes suitable for people of different fitness levels
• Advice on issues such as posture, technique, stretching, intensity, clothing, etc.
• Safety issues
• Planning walking sessions and programmes
• Developing a Slí na Sláinte route
• How to start your own walking group
• Practical walking sessions

Weekend Training Course

4 week leader challenge

Once participants complete the Community Walking Leader Training Course they will be set a challenge of leading a 4 week walking programme within their community to put their training to work. You will be provided with a logbook to record your progress for the challenge. Once we receive your completed logbook you will be certified as an Irish Heart Foundation community walking leader.

Local leaders forum

As a follow up to the training, you may be asked to meet with the Local Sports Partnership representative responsible for walking in your county. This will be a chance to meet up with your fellow leaders and to share your experiences and ideas on promoting walking in your community. The Local Sports Partnership, in conjunction with the Irish Heart Foundation, will provide support and advice to you as a trained community walking leader.