Hello All

First of all, let me introduce myself.  My name is David Thompson and I have just started in the volunteer role of Project Coordinator for Get Walking for the Games.  I’m still getting my feet under the table but it’s already clear to me that this project is very exciting both in its own right and, perhaps even most importantly, because it represents a unique opportunity to recruit more Ramblers members by tapping into the excitement of the Games and reaching people who might not normally be active walkers!

Get Walking for the Games is a new Ramblers initiative which will use the Olympics as a “hook” to encourage people to take up walking. The program has already been awarded the coveted Inspire brand by London 2012.  The idea is that the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games aren't just a festival of elite sport -- they're also a once in a lifetime event enabling everyone to get more active through walking, while also discovering links between their local area and the Olympics.

Although most Olympic activity centres on London, this does not mean that areas outside London or the other major Olympic locations cannot participate in Get Walking for the Games.  On the contrary, it’s all the more important that they do!  There are lots of potential links to explore between local areas and the Games including locations selected for pre- Games training camps, stadia to be used in the earlier stages of the football competition and the myriad of activities across the UK associated with the Cultural Olympiad.  And that's without thinking about more tenuous links such as connections to athletes' home towns or previous Olympics.

What’s special about Get Walking for the Games walks?

Get Walking for the Games walks are designed to be attractive to people who do not normally walk for pleasure, as well as existing Ramblers members who prefer shorter walks.  They therefore need to be short, easy and accessible and led by knowledgeable and experienced walk leaders.  As a guide, walks should not exceed 5 miles or take more than half a day.  Ideally walks should be easily reached by public transport and not require long journeys to the start and end points.

Each walk will have a link to the Games - whether it's passing a venue, using a route such as the new Olympic Greenways in London, connecting to a Cultural Olympiad site or event, visiting a training venue or visiting somewhere linked to Britain's sports heritage.

Information about local walking opportunities and the benefits of walking will be distributed to participants.  The objective is for each group to run at least two ‘Get Walking for the Games’ walks in each of 2011 and 2012.  Of course, some groups may be able to offer more than two walks or start the program in 2010 and this would be even better.

Why am I sending this email?

We need groups to nominate members who would be interested in being local coordinators for the Get Walking for the Games project.  This is not an unduly onerous role and the main responsibilities will be organizing the following:

·         Development of Get Walking for the Games walks

·         Timetabling and leading Get Walking for the Games walks

·         Generating local publicity for Get Walking for the Games walks

Of course, while local coordinators will take the lead in organising the activities they will not necessarily undertake all the tasks themselves!

What help will local coordinators receive?

As Volunteer Project Coordinator for Get Walking for the Games, part of my role is to provide support to local coordinators as necessary.

Two alternative Induction Days are planned for local coordinators: Saturday 25 September 2010 (Manchester) and Sunday 26 September 2010 (London).  Induction will include the objectives of the program, some of the practicalities such as branding and publicity  and ideas for creating routes.

The Olympics has attracted a huge number of potential volunteers, many of whom are surplus to the needs of the main organization and we will be tapping into this pool of enthusiasm through an organisation called YouthNet to provide local coordinators with additional support.  This approach may also have the spin off benefit of attracting more younger people to the Ramblers!

When is the launch?

There will be two special led walks visiting 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues on the London 2012 Open Weekend, Saturday-Sunday 24-25 July.  Here’s the link to Volunteering news with more detail:

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/News/Get+Walking+for+the+Games

What do you need to do now?

Please make sure Get Walking for the Games is on your next meeting agenda, circulate this email around your members and encourage people to volunteer as your local coordinator.  Interested members should email me directly at david.thompson@ramblers.org.uk.

I do hope your group will participate in Get Walking for the Games and I look forward to supporting you.

Best regards

David Thompson

david.thompson@ramblers.org.uk

Volunteer Project Coordinator - Get Walking for the Games

(Working Day: Thursday)

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.

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