Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Flip

Original poster

Walking Group "event" liability

25 replies

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 10:05

Hi all

I'm a new member of a walking group and we have a FB group. People usually say 'anyone want to walk at such a place on Friday' and others respond. I did this and it was really popular, so I decided to ask again the following month and make it a monthly thing. Again it was popular, so this time I've posted that I'm going for a walk at the weekend, anyone like to join me, and that it isn't an event and anyone coming does so at their own risk.

One of the FB group's admin has gone a bit nuts. They're telling me it is an event and I'm the event organiser and that we have to have a sign in sheet and I have to give everyone a peg or somesuch and count them back in to make sure no one wanders off and is left behind injured somewhere.

I don't want this responsibility and I feel sure that if I do these things, it looks like an event, and I will need to have some form of indemnity insurance. I do not want this.

Something that I started just to get out and make new friends has turned into a nightmare where I now feel very uneasy and worried about anything happening and it being my responsibility. It's sucked all the fun out of it.

Could someone advise if it is an event, despite me saying it's not, and what my liability is. How do I reiterate that it's not an event if possible. Thanks very much.

OP posts:

JoanOgden · 14/10/2021 10:08

Hmm. Am not an expert, so would be inclined to go back to them expressing ignorance and asking them to send you the relevant legislation and guidance so you can understand any responsibilities and legal risks.

Original poster

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 10:22

That's a good idea. I think they're worried that the group will become responsible because I posted there. It's a really popular walk, I'm not exactly sure why so many people want to come tbh!, I was expecting maybe half a dozen of us and it was about 40 last time.

This one will be the last anyway as I wanted it to be a meet up of people enjoying walking not something official.

OP posts:

prh47bridge · 14/10/2021 11:23

There is no specific legislation. However, we all owe a duty of care to each other and can be sued for negligence if we fail to meet that duty. This is unlikely to be a problem when going for a walk with a handful of friends and family. However, when the walk is open to members of a Facebook group and you get about 40 people on the walk, that is rather different.

2lsinllama · 14/10/2021 11:28

I think it’s because a lawyer would claim that you ‘organised’ it and are therefore responsible should anything to go wrong. Unfortunately due to the ‘where there’s a blame there’s a claim’ culture everyone has to make sure they are covering their own backsides.
Personally I would call it off until I had all the information, which would probably involved everyone signing a disclaimer of some sort.

Dinosauria · 14/10/2021 11:36

Wouldn't the platform allowing the walk be at risk as they are allowing an uninsured, unregistered, possibly incapable person to run an event?

Original poster

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 11:58

@Dinosauria

Wouldn't the platform allowing the walk be at risk as they are allowing an uninsured, unregistered, possibly incapable person to run an event?

I'm most definitely incapable of running a walking event. I know nothing about doing so.

So frustrating because I don't really know why so many people have latched onto this and want to come! None of the other walks get this much traction. I just wanted to make some new friends.

OP posts:

Original poster

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 12:04

@2lsinllama

I think it’s because a lawyer would claim that you ‘organised’ it and are therefore responsible should anything to go wrong. Unfortunately due to the ‘where there’s a blame there’s a claim’ culture everyone has to make sure they are covering their own backsides. Personally I would call it off until I had all the information, which would probably involved everyone signing a disclaimer of some sort.

I think you're right about calling it off.

Even if everyone signed a disclaimer I'd feel very nervous and not enjoy the meet up worrying about someone falling down a hole or something, and the disclaimer not being enough.

OP posts:

Original poster

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 12:06

@prh47bridge

Yes, you're right. Thanks very much, I'm going to cancel it, and just go for a walk somewhere else on my own. Much safer!

OP posts:

Chakraleaf · 14/10/2021 12:32

I run a swim group and yes events are not idea as you bear responsibility

SoMuchToGive · 14/10/2021 13:11

You’d probably need to do a risk assessment too; carry a first aid kit etc …

Original poster

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 13:22

@Chakraleaf

I run a swim group and yes events are not idea as you bear responsibility

I can imagine that's even worse than a walk!

OP posts:

Original poster

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 13:23

@SoMuchToGive

You’d probably need to do a risk assessment too; carry a first aid kit etc …

Yes, I was thinking that. And have someone trained in First Aid too. Argh.

Not the nice, relaxing walk I envisaged!

OP posts:

SoMuchToGive · 14/10/2021 13:49

Mmm - and not sure a disclaimer would necessarily help you if an insurance company came after you. I notice the Ramblers Association ‘provide liability insurance to cover everyone on a group walk and personal accident insurance for the leader.’ But there are ts and cs including having a backmarker, the inevitable risk assessment etc! Oh and you’re not covered if you’re climbing but you can use crampons or ice axes. 😆

Original poster

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 22:05

What do you kind people think about me getting public liability insurance for a one off event? I'd rather this weekend went ahead, then just not do any more. .

OP posts:

museumum · 14/10/2021 22:07

I’m in a cycle club and we have “club rides” and we have informal social get togethers. It’s always very clear which is which. So long as you say “this is not an official club ride” on your post we consider that to be clear.

Original poster

WalkingFan · 14/10/2021 22:30

Museumum, That's how I've approached it previously but it's not sitting well with the group admin.

OP posts:

FadedRed · 14/10/2021 22:36

You could contact your local area Ramblers Club person and tell of your experience of 40 people wanting to join you and could the RA ‘take over’ as it appears so popular.

stevalnamechanger · 15/10/2021 07:41

@FadedRed

You could contact your local area Ramblers Club person and tell of your experience of 40 people wanting to join you and could the RA ‘take over’ as it appears so popular.

Agree

MichelleScarn · 15/10/2021 09:25

Good idea re RA, people can be strange, I'd almost expect moany complaints about the weather/lack of refreshments/toilets/fact there's walking....

Speaking from experience!

WTF475878237NC · 15/10/2021 09:30

I think the thing is you have joined a walking group which presumably has responsibility and you're using their group to plan regular events that you want no responsibility for. They feel they have a duty of care, much like if you're using a contractor on a site.

Original poster

WalkingFan · 15/10/2021 10:16

Yes, I see your point. On other groups I see people doing the same, saying they're going to x place for a walk and does anyone want to join them, so I guess I thought this particular group wasn't any different.

I've now asked a few people who post up regular walks and none of them say they're events, and make clear that they're social meet ups where people are free to walk if they want. No marshalls, first aiders etc and everyone's there at their own risk.

On this one not everyone has a walk, some folk just want to meet up for a chat, some look at the views, others do a half hour stroll, others bring dogs for a 15 min leg stretch, some go for longer and walk to a certain spot and back which is about an hour, others still meet up for a chat then go off on their own walk. It's all small groups who do their own thing. Then everyone leaves when they want to.

It's not meeting at 11am, then a planned group walk.

After thinking about it, I'm not sure how it could ever be successfully "policed".

OP posts:

Original poster

WalkingFan · 15/10/2021 10:18

The people I've asked are those in other groups in other areas.

OP posts:

Original poster

WalkingFan · 15/10/2021 10:23

Take me for example, on the first walk, I joined a small group doing the walk to a view point. On the second, I had a chat with some people, went off with a few who did the longer bit, then just went off and did my own thing and when I got back to the car park everyone else had gone. On the third, I did the viewpoint again.

Tomorrow, I and everyone else is totally free to do what they want walkwise.

OP posts:

Original poster

WalkingFan · 15/10/2021 10:48

I will contact RA and ask if they'd class this as an event.

OP posts:

Original poster

WalkingFan · 19/10/2021 01:07

Hi everyone

This was resolved at the weekend. A couple of people in the group helped out with popping down names of those who wanted to be classed as part of the walk, and anyone else said they would just do their own thing. We had three mini groups, the long walkers, the short walkers and those who just pottered about where we were all parked up and people were happy to be included in those groups. Thankfully the group admin didn't pursue the handing out pegs ( ) idea. It went okay.

OP posts:

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread