About Us
RideWise is a charity that is dedicated to education and support for the environmental benefits of green forms of transport, helps thousands of people each year to gain travel independence, reduce reliance on fossil fuel vehicles and helps to break the barriers of isolation, inactivity, mental health and transport poverty by supporting people through active travel. At RideWise, we believe that affordable, accessible and green forms transport should never be a barrier – through a range of support, walking and cycling can transform lives and communities.
About Us
RideWise is a charity that is dedicated to education and support for the environmental benefits of green forms of transport, helps thousands of people each year to gain travel independence, reduce reliance on fossil fuel vehicles and helps to break the barriers of isolation, inactivity, mental health and transport poverty by supporting people through active travel. At RideWise, we believe that affordable, accessible and green forms transport should never be a barrier – through a range of support, walking and cycling can transform lives and communities.
Walking
You may know RideWise for championing all things Cycling, but as great supporters of anything that helps to reduce pollution on our planet, and keeps people healthy and happy, encouraging walking is also hugely important to us!
To inspire our local communities to join the walking revolution, we're proud to offer our 'Walk Leader Course', which will equip you with the skills and confidence needed to lead safe, effective and enjoyable walks in your area and beyond!
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We're so lucky that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is full of amazing places to go walking - there’s somewhere suitable for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you just want to relax and unwind or get out and exercise, we'll be happy to help you find safe and accessible routes whatever you want to do!
Walking is your Super Power!
Here are just some of the amazing benefits that walking offers you...
It can help with health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
It can build up your cardiovascular fitness and help to strengthen your muscles and bones
It can also help you to maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat
It can boost your energy levels, improve mood and memory, and aid sleep
It can help to ease joint pain, reduce stress and boost your metabolism
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WALKING IS YOUR SUPERPOWER - AND IT'S FREE!
What are Walk Leaders?
Generally, most people know that walking can be good for them - but there can be lots of reasons they don’t walk as often as they’d like to.
It could be that they’re not able to walk too well, and they don’t know any places near them where there’s an easy path for a gentle stroll, where they can rest a while.
They might not feel safe walking on their own, or their immediate environment just doesn’t feel comfortable, accessible or uplifting.
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This is where a Walk Leader can help!
Walk Leaders are people that LOVE walking and enjoy all the benefits it can bring. They know their local area well, and they’re able to share their knowledge and passion to encourage others to get out and about as often as possible.
They can help to allay the fears people may have, and replace it with confidence and enthusiasm!
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Walk Leader Training Workshop
Our independent, volunteer Walk Leader Training is aimed at people who would like to lead community walks in their neighbourhoods. It's ideal for anyone wanting to run health and wellbeing walks supporting people to get back into walking to reduce their social isolation, and to help to improve their mental and emotional as well as physical health.
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Whilst it's not an accredited course, it will provide everything a volunteer Walk Leader will expect in terms of quality and content. It will give you the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to lead guided walks within an urban or local neighbourhood setting.
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WORKSHOP ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
18+
Ideally will have attended a group walk, but it's not essential
Bags of enthusiasm
Ability to learn in a fun, interactive environment
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THE SESSION INCLUDES
Slide show presentation
Group-based learning activities
Q&A sessions
A short walk to test and embed the theory
Certificate
Support
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We have a couple of training options, whether you're an individual or a company...
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AN OPEN, HALF-DAY WORKSHOP FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IS £60.00 PER PERSON
If you're a Nottingham City resident, we may be able to support you in applying for a fund to cover the usual cost
Lunch is not included, and there would need to be a minimum of 8 people to run the workshop.
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The workshop runs for approximately 4 hours, and includes 3 hours classroom-based group learning, rest breaks, a half hour lunch break, and a 30 - 45 min outdoor walk (weather permitting).
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At the end of the workshop you'll:
Have the confidence and skills to lead a community based walking group in your local area
Better understand what it takes to become a volunteer walk leader
Know how to plan your walks, and consider the many different factors involved in the process
Have a better understanding of the potential risks and hazards involved and how to manage them
Feel more confident about Risk Assessments and how to complete them
Have a better understanding about being insured to lead walks
Follow Best Practice guidelines and apply them to your specific walks
Understand the many reasons people may not like to go for walks in their area
Be able to offer practical advice, such as the correct clothing and footwear
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All participants will receive a certificate of attendance, plus additional helpful resource links.
Post-workshop, all attendees will receive a copy of the slide deck via email for reference.
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OUR NEXT PUBLIC WALK LEADER TRAINING WORKSHOP WILL BE POSTED HERE
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​​​If you'd be interested in an online workshop, or have any other enquiries, please email muratbasaran@ridewise.org.uk
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​​A PRIVATE, HALF-DAY TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR A GROUP OF UP TO 15 PEOPLE
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A half-day workshop for up to 15 people is £600.00. Venue, travel costs and lunch are not included in this price, and there would need to be a minimum of 6 people.
If you'd like to book a workshop, would be interested in an online workshop, or would like some more information, please contact muratbasaran@ridewise.org.uk
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Our Instructor
Our Walk Leader Workshop Tutor is Murat Basaran...
"I've worked for Ridewise for over 10 years, I’m the walking lead on the team, and manage a variety of City and County based active travel projects. I’m a 'Paths for All' trained Walk Leader, an accredited Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Leader Trainer and coordinator for Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Notts.
I’ve led a number of walking projects, including 'Charities Aid Foundation Walk Buddy'. 'NHS led Hepatitis group Walk & Talk', 'Peoples Lottery funded Stapleford Walk & Talk' and 'NHS gestational diabetes Walk & Talk' for Nottingham University Hospitals.
I’m also part of a Nottinghamshire wide walking strategy group to develop and promote walking, simply called 'Walk Notts'.
On a personal note, I LOVE walking! I enjoy nothing more than getting out in the fresh air and taking in the local areas - we're blessed to have so many gorgeous spots in Nottinghamshire.
I love the feeling walking brings - as well as all the physical benefits, my mind feels rested and I feel uplifted and ready to take on the World!"
