MTA volunteering awards 2022

At the 2022 Mountain Training Association (MTA) Autumn Conference at the Field Studies Council's Blencathra Centre the winners of the first ever volunteer awards were announced: celebrating members' achievements, those who have gone above and beyond, shown initiative and dedication, and made a difference in what they do.

Nominations are open for next year's awards already, so if you know someone who is volunteering to run a charity, set up an awareness raising group, or just simply giving their time to help others, nominate them now.

For more details or to nominate someone email: mta@mountain-training.org

Volunteer of the Year for the Environment - David Broom, Ecologist

David has made a significant contribution to MTA. Passionate about environmental education, he delivered a series of free workshops about access and environmental issues, supporting our regional groups and members around the country. David contributed throughout the lockdowns, hosting a series of online webinars around environmental topics, especially ecology. He also initiated a collaboration project between MTA and Plantlife, supporting their National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS) wherein he volunteered as a trainer for NPMS and delivered training to our members to enable volunteer members to contribute to the project by monitoring areas of the uplands across the UK, and was a hugely successful project. David has been a trustee for the John Muir Trust and a volunteer for Moors of the Future.

Volunteer of the Year for Wellbeing - Andrew Higson, Blackdog Outdoors

Andy approached MTA back in 2018 with the outline of his project to create Blackdog Outdoors, their mission being to promote improved physical and mental health by re-connecting people with the outdoors and the natural environment. He has achieved this with resounding success. Andy’s own journey negotiating mental health challenges led to the drive and determination for this initiative to succeed. Fostering a connection with other MTA members who volunteered as leaders, the project got off the ground and grew from strength to strength. Blackdog Outdoors is now well established and a recognised mental health charity providing a range of accessible activities across the UK.
Between April 2019 and December 31st 2021 Blackdog Outdoors have delivered the following throughout the UK:

• 53 walking events
• 8 climbing events
• 15 paddle events
• 12 indoor bouldering sessions
• 3 NNAS bronze award training courses
• 7 Mountain Training Mountain Skills training courses

Blackdog Outdoors Awards & Recognition

• Shortlisted for The Great Outdoors ‘campaign of the year’ in 2020
• Shortlisted for The Great Outdoors ‘open outdoors award’ in 2021
• Winner of the UK Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards ‘best innovative and proactive wellbeing activity’ in 2021
• Winner of the Head Outside ‘Ways to Wellbeing’ Award in 2022

Individual Awards & Recognition

• Lynne Dale – recipient of the British Canoeing ‘engagement award’ in 2020
• Andrew Higson – recipient of the British Mountaineering Council ‘Rehan Siddiqui Award’ in 2021

Volunteer of the Year for Accessibility - Joe Winch, Climb2Recovery

Joe helped establish and run Climb2Recovery, a charity that supports seriously wounded and disabled service people and veterans through climbing and mountaineering. Their members are both male and female, generally between the ages of 25-50, who have life-changing disabilities ranging from double above knee amputees to sufferers of multiple-sclerosis, the majority suffer severe psychological injuries and mental health conditions - including PTSD, most are unable to work full-time or are unemployed, and many suffer financial hardship, all as a result of their disabilities. Most of them would not be accessing climbing and mountaineering, and certainly not as regularly or with the opportunities for training and qualifications, if it wasn’t for Climb2Recovery.
Joe plans and delivers the year-round programme of fully funded adaptive climbing and mountaineering courses - usually 4-day residential courses, throughout the UK, at least once a month. This year he delivered over 1000 training days to over 100 beneficiaries and introduced 40 new people to climbing and mountaineering. They had courses in the Peak District, Lake District, Snowdonia, Cornwall and Pembrokeshire, and ran expeditions to the Isle of Skye, the Alps and Spain.
Climb2Recovery also proudly sponsor many of their disabled members through the hierarchy of Mountain Training qualifications, and this year qualified two winter mountain leaders, four rock climbing instructors, and two international mountain leaders, as well as training four new rock climbing instructors, four mountain leaders, and a mountaineering and climbing instructor - all of whom have disabilities. This affords those members the chance to seek new employment, often after a period of protracted absence, to volunteer with local deserving groups, or to take their friends and family into the outdoors.

Mountain Training Association volunteers awards

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

Support volunteer of the year - David Tainton

David received the most nominations of any of our volunteers which is a testament to the work he has done and the difference he has made in his region. As well as an excellent programme of night navigation sessions, where he and fellow volunteer Philippa Sanders, have created a well-rounded and robust series of events, has coordinated local events and online 'ted-style' talks on issues relevant to all walking leaders. An excellent volunteer and a great credit to his region.

Regional coordinator of the year - Paul Poole

Paul has been a regional coordinator since 2014 and has worked tirelessly and consistently across the North Wales region to provide events and activities in the region. With the help of his support volunteers, Branwen Mcbride and Michael Griffiths, he has facilitated year-round programmes of activities and engaging with local organisations. Paul has been an advocate for supporting the growth of our regional groups and have recruited a fair few volunteers along the way, including Stephen Jones our Peak regional coordinator. Paul also ran a series of webinars throughout Lockdown keeping members engaged on topics related to the qualifications.

Volunteer of the Year - Stephen Jones

Stephen has been a volunteer and Regional Coordinator for the Peak District for over 8 years and in that time has organised, coordinated and run numerous successful events for MTA. He has built excellent networks in the area and runs social and CPD weekends for members' from the Peak District and surrounding area. His constant hard work and innovation make him the prime candidate to receive this award.

To nominate someone for volunteering to make a difference email: mta@mountain-training.org