Training for the assessment weekend

“It takes a team to row a gig boat forward”.

Getting a group of volunteers together, ready for training yet alone the assessments took more than a pivot table to make it happen.

There was a significant amount of thought, time and effort into preparing not just myself, but 8 other members of the North Devon Scout leadership team.

Put the project manager part to one side and let’s focus on the training and development. That is far more relevant and important in this story.

We all have volunteered for the districts navigation and lightweight expeditions for a long time. Personally I started in 2010, bringing back my skills from my teenager years. I’ve worked as the Duke of Edinburgh manager bringing hundreds of young people to a Moor and setting them of with relevant confidence and skills to come back alive and usually full of stories.

The group of eight leaders all needed a refresher on different aspects of leading.

We enrolled on a three day intensive training course with the legendary trainer Peter Goldsmith.

We appreciated that this is the perfect time to refresh our hiking and team first aid equipment.

For me, I had a limited budget and approached my family for help with buying a new rucksack, compass’s, torches and so much more.

After the life training course, I then increased my time leading and walking in different parts of the UK. Over the previous decade I had set aside a week a year to wonder off on a long distance hike. Some logged on this website, others lost in my life.

We also arranged for an evening navigation training session, with the two trainers, Lisa and Ruth, to push our skills forward. For me, I arrived and completely lost my head in a blind panic.

My anxiety was at its worst. Keeping this feeling inside also didn’t help, to say I had imposter syndrome was an understatement. I did the training, ending the evening with a boost as I found the last “rock in a field” even though it wasn’t my leg!

Day One

I arrived, full of nerves, more kit than “inspector gadget” ready to fail.

The assessment started Friday lunchtime, marking the beginning of an intensive and insightful experience that left me terrified in the wake of a weekend ahead, that changed my life for ever.

Day one consisted of two assessments, both taking four hours and on Dartmoor.

Part one, was in daylight and dedicated to micro navigation techniques. Working in three teams with three assessors.

We needed to demonstrated our abilities to move effectively in various environments and different terrains. Adding to this challenge, my weekend was in the middle of one of the UK worst snow blizzards for years. This storm was aptly named as Storm Bert.

The UK’s Met Office produce reports to aid keep the history alive. Please use the button below to access it.

This first assessment, was invaluable. It helps balance your mental state and your start to ditch some unnecessary equipment.

It also helps fosters a deeper understanding of spiritual awareness and invested into navigation principles.

Engaging in these activities allows participants to gain confidence in their skills, ensuring they can adapt to unexpected situations and navigational challenges with ease.

My assessment spot was across a valley and onto a path. At this stage of the day, about 1600 the snow had stopped and left a blanket on top the uneven ground. Making walking an equal challenge to all. Second guessing whether the snow is three inches deep or free foot. which can mean the difference between a step to your ankle or thighs.

We came back to our bunkhouse, eat a hot meal and then set off for an Evening Navigation – Location finding, and relocation assessment.

Wow, do I have a story to tell!

We got back from a dark, wet and challenging experience about 2000 and then our second assessor, for day two, told us that we had to create a route for the next day, based on the weather.

The picture hopefully demonstrates the terrain and how bright our lights needed to be. My assessment piece was just after darkness had arrived. Lisa, placed her pen onto my map and uttered the following, “find this spot just past the stream”.

I used all the skills I had in my bag of tricks. We leapfrogged over the stream, following a compass bearing. I attempted to pace the distance, but the mixture of snow, darkness and my eyesight, this was never going to happen.

It seemed to take ages to get to my spot on a rock, but when I did and claimed it. Lisa told me I had found it, leaving me to crumble with emotion. All the stress and anxiety came out in one moment.

“Well done me”.

Day Two – The Storm

This was to be an 8 hour hike on Dartmoor, in 40+ miles an hour winds with the occasional 60 mile gust.

Navigation to locations using compass bearings. Each leg was close to 3 k and to a specific location, like a bridge over a river or a cave in a Torr.

The weather was horrendous, it rained that hard, my clothes gave into the weather and I was wet to the core.

The assessor for this day decided that he would still take us out onto Dartmoor. This decision was made even though all our routes, created the evening before and respected the weather.

The locations we had all decided were more lowland leader criteria, no where near woodlands and definitely not on open moorland.

His suggestion to go out onto open Dartmoor, nearly caused a mutiny. Even though the day was horrific, it was longer for us than the other two groups, by several hours. We came back to our base. We were glad for warm showers and a place to dry kit.

That day gave us a real try to navigate when the weather turned. The picture was taken as we answered a long stream of questions on relative topics. As the questions continued so did the weather. Our minds were becoming emoted as hypothermia took over.

Day Three – the final push.

Day three assessment: a Long leg walking navigation. We all changed teams and avoided any supporting of each others skills.

It rained again.. a lot!

The three days tested my mental and physical health. Several times, I felt that I was an impostor and should quit.

I must thank a list of people;
Lisa Newton-Goverd and Peter Goldsmith – thank you for considering training me. I appreciate your fair assessment.

I felt an equal to sighted people.

To find out more about my inclusive training program, that has been designed to encourage new beginners to the countryside. The course is aimed towards people looking for adventure, yet need the skills to go ahead. Or simple you wish to spend a weekend on Exmoor with qualified and experiencTraining locations with Day-by-Day by professionals.

Plus a massive thanks to Helen. Ake Allan and George were also part of the team that went out with me.

Plus all the people that have read my posts and supported me with comments.

The Assessment Results

After the initial feed back, which was to enter a few more walks on Dartmoor and he would feedback to the awarding body on how to complete the formalities. Pete Goldsmith, stated that I had “Adequate Navigating skills” and highlighted that I was an inspiration with the skills I’ve demonstrated and he would class them as an equal to all. This left me confident, yet with a doubt at the back of my mind. Since losing vision I have become used to the reactions when I step up. This is a trait that the Blind Man Roy has become accustomed with.

He had contacted the awarding body, Mountain Training to highlight my disabilities and before he could submit my assessment as a pass, he would wait for their official word.

Mountain Training statement as of December 2024.

“I hoped that this would have been positive. Yet, I agreed with Pete. This needs to be done to allow me to go ahead.”

Mountain Training’s response. They referred to the statement from their governing body. They claim the use of a support worker would give me an unfair advantage. I was not to be awarded the level 3 qualification.

My hard work prior to the assessment was not counted. This includes the 40 plus logged walks. Even the weekend in the storm was not counted.

I could appeal, however to who!

I decided to choose my battles. This helped me deal with the situation. I walked away with the confidence that I achieved more than most.

Shifting your Mind!

I later gained a Lowland Leader qualification. This gave me the opportunity to become a qualified assessor for the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

Over the past year, I have introduced Mountain Training to the RNIB. This was to aid the development of a CPD program. It helps people like myself to be led professionally.

This course will be launched in 2026 and offered to the whole of the UK.

This will hopefully help push the boundaries and understanding that being blind doesn’t mean seeing nothing.

As for going for a reassessment, I have lost more vision than I had then. The moment has sadly passed. This doesn’t mean that I am giving up. Technology is getting better. I hope that one day I will have a chance to prove again. I can use a map and a compass.