Sheffield Walking Group welcomes all new and existing members in the spirit of friendship and inclusion, in line with the core principles of Ramblers Code of Conduct.

If you want to join any of our walks or activities but feel you might need extra support, please feel free to get in touch with the group (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We are happy to have a chat about suitability, safety and getting the most out of walking. 

You can bring a friend or family member on a walk or activity who can provide help for you to take part safely.

Young people under 18 can take part in our activities if they are with a parent or guardian.

If you are under 18 and/or would like to bring someone to help you, we encourage you to contact the walk leader or activity organiser in reasonable time so you can discuss suitability and safeguarding requirements before the day. 

It is important that you read and understand Ramblers safeguarding guidance for participants before joining a walk or other activity.

Key principles

The key principles of Sheffield Walking Group’s access to our walks and activities are as follows:

•  Sheffield Walking Group welcomes all new and existing members in the spirit of friendship and inclusion

• We aim to enable the widest possible level of participation in our activities

• We will always consider and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to enable safe access for new and existing members to our activities

• Because walks in open country are a special type of activity, participation is subject to the suitability of the walk for all individual participants 

• Our walk leaders have an enhanced duty of care towards all walk participants. Leaders are volunteers who are experienced in navigation and walking in open country – they have to make considered judgements about the group and the walk which take into account the safety and enjoyment of the group as a whole

• All new and existing members are treated with respect by walk leaders and the committee. Any potentially sensitive or personal issues regarding access to our activities can be discussed confidentially with the group Chair

• We are a group constituted under Ramblers – the national walking charity. We are governed by Ramblers policy. Ramblers safeguarding policy and indemnity insurance does not allow the Group or members to provide any form of special assistance which involves taking responsibility for the safety or care of any participants

•  Access to our walks for young people and adults at risk must be in accordance with Ramblers safeguarding policy

Guidance for walk leaders and activity organisers can be found here