Scottish Health Walk Network (SHWN)

Membership of the Scottish Health Walk Network includes free support to Health Walk providers across Scotland to ensure walks are safe, welcoming and accessible for everyone.

The Scottish Health Walk Network supports and trains individuals, groups and organisations to provide short, free, accessible Health Walks. These walks help people across Scotland to be physically active, get outside and connect with their community.

What are Health Walks?

Health Walks are local, safe, accessible, short group walks that are free to attend. They are led by trained walk leaders along risk assessed routes. Their aim is to support those who are least active to get active by walking.

As we get older, it’s important we take part in activities that improve balance and coordination. Many Health Walks also include strength and balance activities. By including strength and balance activities we’re supporting people to stay active for longer.

There’s a wide range of member benefits.

Accreditation as a member of the Scottish Health Walk Network.
This means you’ll get to use our logo on your marketing materials. You’ll receive clear guidance on how and when you can use it.
Training opportunities for volunteers and staff.
A requirement of the membership is that volunteers and staff who are leading a Health Walk must complete our Walk Leader training course. You’ll also have access to a wide range of other learning and training opportunities. This includes our Walking with Strength and Balance training and All Ability Health Walk training.
Option to be covered by our insurance.
We can offer trained volunteers the option to be covered by our public liability and professional indemnity insurance. This is only when there are no other insurance options available.
Access to our secure Health Walk Database.
The database allows you to record Health Walk information and extract reports to show the difference your Health Walks make. This helps people find your walks and supports us to highlight the national impact of Health Walks in Scotland.
Support with promotion of your Health Walk.
Your Health Walks will appear on our Join a Health Walk page and map. We can also feature your Health Walk within Your walking stories. And there are frequent media opportunities.
Events and webinars.
You’ll get free places at Scottish Health Walk Network events and webinars. You’ll also receive priority invitations to join us at Walking Scotland events.
Latest news and updates.
You’ll receive our main Walking Scotland newsletter as well as dedicated member emails.
Access to funding opportunities.
You’ll receive funding updates and opportunities that are only available to members.
Resources.
You’ll gain access to a wide range of resources to support you in delivering inclusive and safe walks. This includes our strength and balance leaflet.

It’s free to join the Scottish Health Walk Network. To become a member and gain access to membership benefits there’s a few things you need to agree to.

All volunteers and staff must complete our Walk Leader Training.
This must be completed before you start your Health Walks and your Health Walks are added to our website.
All Health Walk routes must be risk assessed.
We understand that routes might change but all routes you might take must be risk assessed in advance.
You must have an up-to-date policy for the protection of children and protected adults.
We’ll ask you to confirm this as part of your membership sign-up process.
All new participants must complete a new participant form.
This must be completed so they can be added to the Health Walk database. We will share a wide range of resources including the new walker form.
Members must keep their listings on the Health Walk database up-to-date.
The details shared on our Join a Health Walk page, are taken from the database. So if your information is not accurate on the database then it will not be accurate on our website.
Members must complete surveys and requests for Health Walk information.
At points during the year, we will be in touch asking for information about your Health Walks. We will never ask too much of our members, but it is important that we can measure and report on the impact of the Scottish Health Walk Network.