Celebrating BMC volunteers in Volunteers' Week

Volunteering News
01 Meh
2 min read

This 1-7 June is Volunteers' Week and we'd like to say a colossal THANK YOU to all of our incredible BMC volunteers for making the organisation run smoothly and effectively - your impact cannot be underestimated!

Volunteering at the BMC comes in many different forms, from helping to judge climbing competitions, leading social hill walks, litter picking near the top of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), restoring the ground at the base of boulders, repairing footpaths in the Lake District and planting sphagnum moss to restore the peat bogs in the Peak District.

Our fantastic BMC Area Reps and Access Reps are also involved with negotiating access to crags, dealing with local issues and reaching out to encourage more people to walk and climb. The BMC also supports five awesome climbing festivals throughout the year, organised by volunteers.

Michelle Hordern, BMC Volunteer Development Officer, says:

"The BMC is built on volunteers. Many of the things’ people value most within our climbing, hillwalking and mountaineering communities happen because volunteers care deeply enough to step forward and make a difference. I see volunteers:

  • Protecting access to outdoor spaces and repairing footpaths
  • Helping restore landscapes and lessen environmental impact through conservation work
  • Supporting competitions and athletes
  • Organising walks and events that bring people together
  • Sitting on committees that shape policy, safety and decision-making
  • Representing local voices and strengthening community connections

"Often this work happens quietly, behind the scenes, without recognition. But it matters enormously. So during 'Volunteers’ Week, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to the volunteers who opened doors for me, encouraged me, taught me skills, trusted me with responsibility and helped shape the person I’ve become. And thank you to all the volunteers -in the BMC and far beyond - who continue to give their time, energy and care to causes, communities and people they believe in. If there’s a volunteer in your life, take a moment to thank them personally this week. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering yourself, I’d really encourage you to give it a go. You never know where it might lead."

BMC President Dom Oughton says:

"We have just opened nominations for our BMC Awards, some of which recognise our amazing volunteers. Please take the time to 'give a shout out' for someone you know who has contributed to the BMC and or the wider climbing, hill walking and mountaineering communities. Find out more here and get your nominations in by 5 July. Look out for the shortlist for a people's vote in August too.

"We're always open to welcoming more volunteers into the BMC, and are really keen to bring together volunteers from diverse backgrounds, ages and experience levels, so do take a look at our volunteering page and get involved! All volunteering posts come with all the relevant training on the job so all you really need is enthusiasm and a love of the outdoors, or indoors if it's a climbing comp!"

The next volunteer opportunities this summer include more crag clean ups (or contact your local Area Rep to coordinate your own!), Get Stuck In path repair events, the Big Clean Up on Yr Wyddfa, BMC Basecamp Festival and our Social Walks in your area. Sign up and follow the BMC on Eventbrite to be notified by email of each volunteering opportunity or volunteer-led event as they become available.

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