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Volunteer leaders on a Lake District Guided Walk walking past bracken

Volunteer guided walk leader

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Home Authority Volunteering Volunteering Opportunities Volunteer guided walk leader

Our Volunteer Guided Walk leaders help the Lake District National Park Authority run an inspirational programme of around 150 walks every year. We are currently recruiting for Guided Walk Leaders to lead our walks in the North of the Park.

Our guided walks programme exists to help unlock the landscape for visitors and local communities, helping people understand and appreciate the spectacular landscape, world-class heritage and local culture that makes the Lake District National Park so special.

Frequently asked questions

  • Supporting and contributing to our guided walks programme.
  • Leading groups on low – medium level walks, working with your co-leader to support the group.
  • Learning about and communicating information about the local landscape.
  • Interpreting and communicating our values, in an inspirational way.
  • Welcoming a diverse range of people to the National Park and acting as an ambassador.
  • Adhering to good practice, particularly with health and safety.
  • Completing paperwork and contributing to risk-assessments.
  • Assisting with reviewing and contributing to new content of the walks programme.

We ask for a minimum commitment of twelve days per year which includes training days and pre & post season meetings. Due to the initial and ongoing training and support provided there is an expectation that you can commit to the role in the longer term.

  • A passion for, and a good general knowledge of, the Lake District National Park.
  • Experience of walking and good navigation skills.
  • A good level of health and fitness.
  • Excellent communication and team-working skills.
  • Excellent people management and interpersonal skills.
  • An awareness of health and safety.

To ensure your safety, that of your co-leaders, and walk participants, we provide the following training. It usually takes at least a year from the time of recruitment to complete the training pathway and start leading walks.

  • First aid
  • Navigation
  • Outdoor leadership skills
  • Safeguarding
  • Learning about the National Park
  • Shadowing guided walks
  • A guided walk leader assessment
Volunteer guided walk leader profile (PDF)

How to apply

We will be selecting volunteers based on their experience and skills, enthusiasm for the role, locality, and their availability. Please note that we are currently recruiting Guided Walk Leaders to lead our walks in the North of the Lake District National Park. If you live in the central Lakes, we would still ask you to join our team of northern area leaders.

Please ensure that you give as much detail as possible when applying. We would also strongly encourage you to attend one of our guided walks before making an application; this is a good opportunity to learn more about the programme and chat with our existing Guided Walk Leaders. Applications will close on 18th October and we will be holding a selection day for shortlisted applicants on 5th November.

 

Volunteer application - Guided Walk Leader

Your details

Do you have any convictions not regarded as 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974?:(Required)
Do you have any medical issues or allergies that may affect your volunteering?(Required)
Please note all information collected on this form is held in confidence.

Your Volunteering

If so, do you have any thoughts or comments on your experience?
Are there particular days or times you would be able to volunteer?
Are there any reasonable adjustments we can make to aid you in volunteering e.g. access, communications, etc.?

Emergency Contact Details

For insurance purposes we need to hold details of an appropriate emergency contact.

Using and storing your information

GDPR Permissions(Required)
In order for us to continue to store and use your information we need you to read and agree to our Personal Data and Privacy Policy for how we use and store your data. A copy of this Policy can be found on our website - https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/authority/volunteering/privacy-for-volunteers/ . Please check the box below to confirm that you have read and agreed to this policy.
Photo Permissions(Required)
Occasionally you may be photographed or videoed during your volunteering activity. Maintaining a library of images for us to use online and in print, highlighting and celebrating what our incredible volunteers achieve is essential. We hope that you will give us permission to use photos and videos that may include you in order to achieve this, but you can opt out.
Sharing Your Details(Required)
In the normal course of volunteering we may need to share your contact information with other volunteers to facilitate effective working. Examples of this may include car sharing, mentoring or coordinating activity. Please check the appropriate box below to confirm that you give permission, or otherwise, for us to share your contact details with other volunteers in the normal course of your volunteering.

Diversity Information

Do you have a disability as recognised under the Equality Act 2010?

Submit your application

Submission(Required)
Before submitting this form, please make sure that you've completed all the boxes correctly. We'll be in touch shortly to outline the next steps in the process.

Any more questions?

If you have any questions about volunteering in this role then please contact the Volunteers Coordination Team at volunteers@lakedistrict.gov.uk (opens email).

The LDNPA Volunteers Service is committed to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all. Please contact us to discuss any adjustments we can implement to make volunteering or applying to a voluntary position more accessible. We can be contacted at volunteers@lakedistrict.gov.uk (opens email)/