Following the published Government road map to ease lockdown, we will be able to restart the rambles. However, as the rule of 6 for outdoor activity only comes into place at the end of March, we have decided to delay the start of the rambles until Thursday 6th May to allow for any movement in the dates. Rule of 6 will apply until restrictions are lifted. Details of the ramble will be published here in mid April. It’ll be great to get out and about again, however to comply with insurance, please ensure you have renewed your membership for 2021 before the walk. Details of how to do this are featured on the website.
Maghull and Lydiate U3A
U3A third age learning social
For your information:
Email to Doug McLennen with the title Resuming Walking Groups- Craven u3a from
Jane Bailey
Advice and Volunteering Manager
Dear Doug,
In response to your concerns raised about Walking Groups I can confirm that I have been part of a working party of National Governing Bodies including Ramblers who have been working with Sports England recently to obtain clarity around some of the grey areas that existed following the Governments Lockdown Easing roadmap.
I am happy to confirm now that we have had confirmation from Sports England at the end of last year that Walking would be considered as an Organised Sporting, Physical Activity for the purposes of the Coronoavirus Guidance and that following further clarification on Monday this week we can confirm that Walking groups may resume organized walks with groups larger than 6 and less than 30 from the 29th March.
Ramblers are stating that group leaders do not have to run larger groups if they don’t feel it is safe to at this time (this may reflect for instance the continued guidance to minimize travel and if they live in a heavily populated area larger groups may be harder to run safely)
The Ramblers have stated the following on their website:-
‘It has also been confirmed by the UK government that organised sport and physical activity, which include Ramblers group walks, can also resume from the 29 March, and are exempt from legal gathering limits. Ramblers volunteer activities will also be able to take place once again’.
The guidance I have placed on the Website includes a summary of the process for group leaders to follow when they want to resume activities which I will copy below:-
3.1 Q: What is the procedure I must follow in order to resume my interest group activities face to face?
A: It is imperative that we follow the government guidance as we move through the steps of lockdown easing. Their aim is to be guided by the evidence at each step of the road map and we must follow their lead and recommendations at all times, remaining vigilant and flexible to their latest guidance whilst planning for the return journey for the members in our various interest groups.
To summarise the u3a procedure for resuming an activity or interest group is as follows:-
1. Inform your committee of your plans and preparations for resuming
2. Where appropriate download and follow a relevant Risk Assessment from a National Governing Body for your sporting activity (see links below) or use an appropriate u3a risk assessment template for your activity.
3. Inform your members of what to expect and how to prepare for returning
4. Ask members to complete a personal assessment (pre-attendance) before attending.
5. Please ensure you are following the most current government guidance on social distancing, and maintaining covid-secure requirements at all times. For instance you may be required to continue to keep a register of participants for 21 days after the activity for Track and Trace beyond the roadmap.
Group leaders can use the Ramblers Covid Risk Assessment see attached but follow our guidance for resuming activity.
I hope this clarifies the situation but do get back to me if you have any further questions.
Kind regards
Jane Bailey
Advice and Volunteering Manager
020 3874 7625
http://www.u3a.org.uk
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