So, you’re ready to start a local Baby Walk?
How exciting! It’s because of brave mums like you, who take this first step, that so many mums will get to feel good in early parenthood and meet some mum mates!
First - let’s start with what we look for in our Baby Walk Leaders. Anyone can become a Baby Walk leader, however, these are the key values we look for from our local leads:
Warm and open-minded - You’re known as a people person and love a good chat! You also have an open mind and assume the best of everyone. We trust that every parent is doing their best, and don’t judge or show preference for one parenting style over another. Every Baby Walk is a judgement-free zone!
Consistency - is one of our key value adds at Baby Walk. As a leader - you will need to consistently show up each week to make sure it’s a reliable location. Once you have had a few walks you might want to find a second volunteer in your group who can be your back-up leader incase you go on holidays or you or your child are sick one week and can’t go.
Inclusive - As a Baby Walk leader it’s your role to make sure everyone who attends feels welcomed, included and safe. Here’s some tips on creating an inclusive community:
Welcome any first-timers each week, who might be a little nervous and keep an extra eye on them to ensure they have a good first expeirence.
Keep an eye out if anyone is a bit reserved and make more of an effort with them
Lots of mums have to do the pram to carrier swap during the walk - wait for them.
Keep an eye on the group, make sure no one is particularly lagging behind. Either walk at the back or just regularly check.
Let mums know if they need to race ahead at the end to feed or feed on route or anything they of course can and you’ll meet them back at the start of the walk.
Sound like you? Great. Let’s get learn how to started!
Getting started
Choose your route:
Find a circular route near you - one that starts and ends at the same spot. Ideally one people can pop in and out of to catch the group, but definitely one that starts and ends at the same place.
Aim for a total walk time of 30-40mins, so 15 to 20 mins each way.
Make sure its a pram friendly route - no stairs or super bumpy parts.
Aim for a scenic stroll - try to find a route that is in nature, a park or beach for example, rather than busy roads.
Have a stay and play area for the summer to end at such as a park or playground with some shade. Even better if there’s a little coffee shop or van nearby.
Choose a back-up location
Some weeks it will be too hot, cold or rainy to walk. On these weeks have a back-up venue that you can meet at. Try a nearby softplay with a cafe or a cafe with enough space for a pram and some babies. Ideally its one on your walking route, if not one nearby.
How to find your people
Find your local mums or parents group on Facebook. For example “Bayside Mum’s group”. There’s usually a few for your suburb or surrounding area.
Post on that group that you are looking to start a local pram walking group and stay and play to meet other mum mates and asks who wants to join.
Invite them to a group chat to start finalising which day of the week and time of day works best.
Once you have a handful of people we will create a Baby Walk Group for you for your local area that you can invite people to and keep everyone updated.
Baby Walk can help with more ways to promote your group once its up and running.
Managing your group
Each week update the group the day before whether you will be walking or going to your back-up location
Do a poll to see who can make it that week and get a sense of numbers
Take a picture on the day to encourage people to keep coming and inspire others to join.
That’s it - you’re ready to start strollin!