SEM Walk Leaders Residential weekends  

Following a successful grant from Awards for All, SEM delivered two-weekend residentials for 50  walk leaders from various community groups in Sheffield and beyond, at the Lea Green Learning Development Centre, Matlock. 

The first residential took place Friday March 31st – Sunday April 2nd, 2023, attended by a number of community/walking group leaders of African and Caribbean heritage. 

 

The second residential took place on Friday June 16th – Sunday 18th attended by womens groups of Southeast Asian heritage. 

SEM has become aware that a number of community groups are keen to take up walking opportunities for their health and wellbeing either in their local environment or the Peak District National Park, but some lack the navigating and orienteering skills as well as duty of care for safety of members. 

 

The residentials served as a pathway to this challenge – walk leaders received taster lessons on leading walks, map reading, orienteering and navigation as well as first aid. The rationale was that this experience would extend learning for interested participants to pursue a beginners’ navigation in ‘Lowland Skills’ course as well First Aid training with the view to receiving qualifications that insurers accept as adequate for leading groups.

SEM has always strived to provide environmentally safe spaces and to ensure that they are people centred and culturally sensitive.

We ensure that all our activities are tailored to the needs of minoritised community groups and encouraging a sense of belonging to those spaces.