Latest News

Photo: SWCPA volunteer walk leader training at Jennycliff, Plymouth

For the last few years, we’ve been delivering our community walk leader training as part of the Coast Path Connectors walking programmes, meeting the needs of both our volunteers and partner organisations. We’ve been continually refining the content of our training to ensure it is fit for purpose.

Training our volunteers means they can lead more walks, giving us greater capacity and extending our reach. For volunteers, it also provides valuable skills and confidence. One volunteer even secured a new job leading walks at Drakes Island, in Plymouth last year, using their experience with us as a key selling point.

Photo: SWCPA and Devon Mind (partner organisation) on a volunteer led walk at Mount Edgcumbe.

In recent years, we’ve also delivered the training to external organisations and received excellent feedback on its content.

While there are various qualifications and courses available that teach walk-leading skills, we wanted to ensure that our training focused specifically on the skills needed for the groups we work with. That means helping people explore more of the Coast Path in social groups, introducing them to new places they can return to with friends and family, sharing heritage and environmental knowledge, building confidence to walk further, and encouraging walking for its health and wellbeing benefits. Our training also helps leaders to break down barriers that some groups face when it comes to walking, such as low confidence, lack of local knowledge, or perceptions that walking groups are “not for them.”

"We’re delighted that the course has now been accredited by the Institute for Outdoor Learning. The accreditation process was straightforward, with helpful guidance throughout, and it provided a valuable opportunity to formalise our procedures. Achieving this recognition demonstrates the quality and value of the course and we look forward to delivering more training in the future."
Alex Turner, Project Manager, SWCPA

To achieve accreditation, we had to demonstrate that we have skilled and experienced staff, a curriculum that is fit for purpose, and a strong commitment to both the environment and inclusion. We also supplied policies and processes to ensure quality delivery, along with a standardised syllabus and agreed benchmarks across our five hubs.

“IOL Course Accreditation aims to give the outdoor community confidence that their course provider demonstrates a commitment to good practice and quality assurance. I am delighted the IOL is accrediting the South West Coast Path Association’s Community Walk Leader Programme.  The IOL values the contribution of volunteers in Outdoor Learning including their generosity in sharing knowledge and practice with others.  Together we show the tremendous breadth and depth of the Outdoor Learning community.”
Jo Barnett, CEO, Institute for Outdoor Learning

For new volunteers, this accreditation makes the training even more attractive, as it has moved from being an ‘in-house’ certificate to one that is aligned with a respected professional body. This enables us to continue building a growing network of experienced and supportive walk leaders. Our volunteers are a great asset to the Coast Path Connectors walking programmes, and we look forward to continuing with this and so helping even more people enjoy the benefits of walking along our beautiful Coast Path.