Mountain Training Association Volunteer Awards 2023

Our Volunteer Awards celebrate members' achievements, those who have gone above and beyond, shown initiative and dedication, and made a difference in what they do. Each year we select winners from the nominations we receive and the notification of excellent initiatives, projects, activities and/or campaigns that volunteers have led or been involved in. We shortlist the nominations and then a panel decides on the winners for the overall winner. This is our second year of awarding volunteers in this way, and we are yet again humbled by the dedication, effort and achievement of all the volunteers listed below.

If you know someone who you would like to nominate for 2024, please contact: mta@mountain-training.org

Volunteer of the Year for the Environment - Jim Langley, Nature Works

Jim is a tireless campaigner for the environment and draws our attention to the beauty in the detail, its changing form and the threats to, sometimes very, fragile ecosystems of the natural world. Jim has worked and volunteered to raise awareness of the natural environment for many years and has highlighted its many charms and wonders to thousands of people looking to better understand the world around them. His recent series of Lowland articles in The Professional Mountaineer magazine illustrate the depth and breadth of knowledge he has of a range of terrains, and his desire to share that knowledge with the wider world and, notably, his colleagues in the outdoor industry. Also, a member of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team and an excellent ambassador for outdoor community as a whole.

Volunteer of the Year for Wellbeing - Alan Elwood, Positive Steps Outdoors

Alan established Positive Steps Outdoors in Northern Ireland in 2023. Positive Steps Outdoors is a social enterprise born out of the vision that connecting people to the natural environment, and each other, helps individuals and teams manage life’s pressures, build sustainable networks, strengthen future resilience and deepen their affinity with the environment. In May they held their first Green Therapy Day, which saw close to 100 leaders and representatives from community groups, charities, the public sector (including health), local businesses, leading sports bodies and multi-national corporates attend to learn about the mental and physical health challenges faced by individuals, organisations and society and the role of natural therapy in supporting positive mental and physical health. The day culminated with delegates heading out for an enjoyable hike on Divis and Black Mountain care of the National Trust and supported by Mountain Leaders from the Mountain Training Association.

Volunteer of the Year for Accessibility - Charlotte Ditchburn, The Calvert Trust

Charlotte has volunteered with the Lake District Calvert Trust for over 13 years, providing outdoor experiences for many people who otherwise wouldn't get to explore the Lake District, as well as for Access the Dales who also have a focus on accessibility and supports people with disabilities. Charlotte has made a significant impact with both of these organisations for people with disabilities. Charlotte has volunteered an immense amount of time and effort towards improving accessibility in the outdoors, both practically on the ground providing experiences for those with disabilities to explore the outdoors as well as in her time tirelessly campaigning to improve access to the outdoors for those with disabilities. Charlotte also volunteered at the Annual Conference for First Aid Trainers to deliver a Disability Awareness workshop which changed the way we see disabilities and inspired others to change activities to be more inclusive.

Volunteer of the Year for Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity - The Founders of Climb Out

Climb Out's goal was to establish the UK’s first Queer Outdoor Climbing festival. Combining trad climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering with queer joy outdoors, we want to celebrate LGBTQ+ climbers and create a community centred on the intersection between queer joy and climbing. The organising team achieved this brilliantly and from the four initial founders they have grown into a large and diverse mix of people responsible for the success of the event and all are looking to make the festival even more of a success in 2024, see the full Climb Out organising team here.

The four founders of Climb Out are:

AJ Guardiola - AJ is also the current Chair of the BMC North West area. AJ is a passionate advocate for building community by diversifying the mountains and bringing queer joy to outdoor climbing.

Nick Read - Nick is also the lead instructor for Climb Out and volunteers for OutdoorLads (a friendly group of gay, bisexual and trans guys who get together to enjoy adventures and activities) as well as the Llanberis Mountain Rescue team, he runs Pride Expeditions, a small travel company that offers exciting queer friendly adventure expeditions and training around the world.

Robert Dufton - Robert is also a founder member of NotSoTrad, the first LGBTQ+ climbing club to affiliate to the BMC, and volunteers on the BMC’s Equity Steering Group chairing the LGBT sub-group.

Mike Phillips - Mike also volunteers as Chair of the Devon based Let’s Go Belay and Boulder Together (LGBTQ+) Climbing Club.

Mountain Training Association Volunteer Awards

For outstanding contribution to the Mountain Training Association, its members and aims:

Assistant Regional Coordinator of the Year - Philippa Sanders

Philippa has consistently delivered night navigations, flora and fauna, CPD sessions, plus shown enormous initiative in engaging external bodies like the Chilterns Walking Festival, Ridgeway National Trail. Feedback from attendees has consistently been outstanding. She has also delivered a Ladies only night nav, and worked in the background to deliver the sustainability day-designing the flyer and worked around the clock to deliver. She has done this consistently with great modesty for the last 4 years.

Regional Coordinator of the Year - David Tainton

David took over the organisation of the England, Central and London (North) region in 2023 and has helped it grow from strength to strength. He has diversified the offer to members' of the region through introducing TED style talks on specific subjects, added new peer led sessions as well as helped other regions and supported cross-region events such as the recent MTA Lowland Leader event. A tireless advocate for the Association, David helps to motivate all through his infectious enthusiasm and strong work ethic.

Volunteer of the Year - Emma Holland

Emma has been a mentor on the Mountain Training Association Mentoring Programme since the beginning has supported many candidates through to assessment and successful completion of their qualifications as a result. She is an excellent Ambassador for the programme and has built some great relationships with her mentees and takes great pleasure in seeing them succeed. Emma was also formerly a Regional Volunteer for the Peak District region in the early days of the regional groups and networks. She has also been inspirational, encouraging other women looking to undertake qualifications before Mentoring Programme began and has always been a positive advocate for the Association. Emma is a very worthy winner of the Association's Volunteer of the Year Award and we would like to thank her for all her support of the Association and the many members she has helped along the way.

Nominate a volunteer for 2024

Nominations are open for next year's awards already, so if you know someone who volunteer with a charity (or even runs one), raises awareness on an issue or has set up an awareness raising group, or simply given their time to help others, nominate them now.

To nominate someone email: mta@mountain-training.org