Regional Groups

What are regional groups and events?

Regional groups have been set up across the UK and Ireland to enable members to get together locally to undertake peer led training, share good practice and socialise with other outdoor trainees and leaders. We recognise that our members have a wealth of knowledge and experience and we're keen to create as many opportunities around the UK and Ireland as possible to bring them together to help each other and facilitate the sharing and exchange of their skills and expertise; members helping members.

It's also a really easy way to meet new walking and climbing partners who want to practice the same skills as you; so if you're working towards an assessment you don't have to do it alone. All members are very welcome to get involved in regional events; either helping out or attending the day to learn new skills.

There is no charge to join a regional group (although attendance at some activities and events may have a small cost attached, eg. a climbing wall entry fee).

We currently have 18 regional groups across the UK, organised by volunteer regional coordinators (see 'Volunteer Regional Coordinators' tab above) who help to meet the aims of the regional groups, providing local opportunities for members to learn and share their expertise. Qualified members can enable those under going training and consolidation to practice skills and widen their knowledge and Trainee members have an opportunity to get together to gain personal experience prior to assessment.
UK and Ireland Map MTA Regions

For more information, simply get in touch with your local regional coordinator or browse the workshop programme for regional events. Click on the 'Volunteer Regional Coordinators' tab above for names and contact details of your regional volunteers.

 
"I loved the CPD workshops whilst on my ML training; and now I’m setting off on a new adventure into the world of climbing the regional events here in North Wales are proving to be quite awesome when the weather plays ball! These are social events rather than instructional, but as a relative novice I learn loads each time and it means I get the chance to ‘climb’ (be hauled up like a sack of spuds) much harder routes than I’d normally attempt which has been great for my confidence and skills."- Branwen McBride
 
 
“I have been on several regional CPD events which were invaluable, thanks to the great volunteer Regional Coordinator for my area. The weekend with a mountain rescue team was fantastic with night nav, ropework, first aid etc covered and great insight in to the working of the team.”- Cath Sinclair
 


Volunteer Regional Coordinators

Volunteer Regional Coordinators

Click on a region below to view the current volunteers in that area:

Northern Ireland

Mike Smith

Regional Coordinator

Telephone:

Email: mike.smith.mountaineering@gmail.com



    Richard Franklyn

    Assistant Regional Coordinator

    Telephone:

    Email: rkfranklyn@live.co.uk



      Ireland

      Brian Fennessy

      Regional Coordinator

      Telephone:

      Email: btfennessy@gmail.com



        Anthea Lacchia

        Assistant Regional Coordinator

        Telephone:

        Email: anthealacchia@gmail.com


          Scotland - East Highlands

          Jim Donaldson

          Regional Coordinator

          Telephone:

          Email: jimdonaldson@btinternet.com



            David Jones

            Assistant Regional Coordinator

            Telephone:

            Email: daj6081@gmail.com


              Garry Wardrope

              Assistant Regional Coordinator

              Telephone:

              Email: mta@wardrope.me.uk



                Scotland - West Highlands

                Dan Goodwin

                Regional Coordinator

                Telephone:

                Email: danwildpath@gmail.com



                  Mike Mason

                  Assistant Regional Coordinator

                  Telephone:

                  Email: association@mountain-training.org


                    Scotland - Central Belt

                    Sean Magee

                    Regional Coordinator

                    Telephone:

                    Email: enquiries@cpsactivities.com



                      Al Mackay

                      Assistant Regional Coordinator

                      Telephone:

                      Email: alan@urbanuprising.co.uk


                        David Jack

                        Assistant Regional Coordinator

                        Telephone:

                        Email: association@mountain-training.org



                          Wales - North

                          Paul Poole

                          Regional Coordinator

                          Telephone:

                          Email: ppmountaineering@me.com



                            Michael Griffiths

                            Assistant Regional Coordinator

                            Telephone:

                            Email: mgoutdoors@hotmail.com


                              Kelly Duffy

                              Assistant Regional Coordinator

                              Telephone:

                              Email: kellyduffyadventures@gmail.com


                                Branwen Mcbride

                                Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                Telephone:

                                Email: mountainbeeadventures@gmail.com



                                  Wales - South

                                  Matt Woodfield

                                  Regional Coordinator

                                  Telephone:

                                  Email: climbwithmatt@gmail.com



                                    Dorian Thomas

                                    Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                    Telephone:

                                    Email: info@trigpointadventures.co.uk



                                      North East England

                                      Paul Mitchinson

                                      Regional Coordinator

                                      Telephone:

                                      Email: info@northeastguides.com



                                        John Herron

                                        Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                        Telephone:

                                        Email: association@mountain-training.org


                                          Michael Curry

                                          Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                          Telephone:

                                          Email: association@mountain-training.org



                                            England - Lake District

                                            Kelvyn James

                                            Regional Coordinator

                                            Telephone:

                                            Email: fun@mountainservices.co.uk



                                              Jack Oliver

                                              Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                              Telephone:

                                              Email: jackoliver84@gmail.com



                                                England - Yorkshire

                                                Nick Rowe

                                                Regional Coordinator

                                                Telephone:

                                                Email: nicksoutdoors@yahoo.com



                                                  Iain Mcintyre

                                                  Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                  Telephone:

                                                  Email: MountainsPast@pm.me


                                                    Richard Gavaghan

                                                    Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                    Telephone:

                                                    Email: rich.gav@gmail.com



                                                      England - North West

                                                      Stuart Holmes

                                                      Regional Coordinator

                                                      Telephone:

                                                      Email: Stuart@climbingservices.com



                                                        Mick Dunlop

                                                        Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                        Telephone:

                                                        Email: Mick.dunlop@outlook.com


                                                          James Gerrie

                                                          Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                          Telephone:

                                                          Email: themountainjim@gmail.com


                                                            England - Peak District

                                                            Stephen Jones

                                                            Regional Coordinator

                                                            Telephone:

                                                            Email: mtapeakdistrict@gmail.com



                                                              Cath Sinclair

                                                              Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                              Telephone:

                                                              Email: mrstrellis@kirk-ireton.uk


                                                                Gordon Riley

                                                                Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                Telephone:

                                                                Email: mta@mountain-training.org



                                                                  England - West Midlands

                                                                  Phil Davies

                                                                  Regional Coordinator

                                                                  Telephone:

                                                                  Email: pjpendragon@aol.com



                                                                    Helen Harrison

                                                                    Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                    Telephone:

                                                                    Email: hikeswithhelen@gmail.com




                                                                      England - East Midlands and Anglia

                                                                      Mark McKenzie

                                                                      Regional Coordinator

                                                                      Telephone:

                                                                      Email: mark@triventures.uk


                                                                        Neil Kenyon

                                                                        Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                        Telephone:

                                                                        Email: Neilkenyon1972@outlook.com


                                                                          Chris Sweetman

                                                                          Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                          Telephone:

                                                                          Email: chrisonholiday@outlook.com


                                                                            Katy Draper

                                                                            Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                            Telephone:

                                                                            Email: katydraper@mindandbodywalking.co.uk


                                                                              Claire Hunter

                                                                              Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                              Telephone:

                                                                              Email: clairehunter10@hotmail.co.uk


                                                                                Tony Kerr

                                                                                Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                Telephone:

                                                                                Email: tony@onwards-and-upwards.com


                                                                                  England - Central and London (North)

                                                                                  David Tainton

                                                                                  Regional Coordinator

                                                                                  Telephone:

                                                                                  Email: dt1969@hotmail.co.uk



                                                                                    Philippa Sanders

                                                                                    Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                    Telephone:

                                                                                    Email: pipsticks.nw@btopenworld.com


                                                                                      Neil Perry

                                                                                      Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                      Telephone:

                                                                                      Email: neil@neil-perry.com


                                                                                        Abdul Janjirker

                                                                                        Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                        Telephone:

                                                                                        Email: asjanjirker@hotmail.com


                                                                                          Bruce Petty

                                                                                          Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                          Telephone:

                                                                                          Email: Bruce@inveniotraining.co.uk



                                                                                            England - South East and London (Central and South)

                                                                                            Helen Littlejohn

                                                                                            Regional Coordinator

                                                                                            Telephone:

                                                                                            Email: info@eveexpeditions.org.uk


                                                                                              Jo Ireland

                                                                                              Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                              Telephone:

                                                                                              Email: joeyireland@hotmail.co.uk



                                                                                                England - South Central

                                                                                                Steve Cook

                                                                                                Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                Telephone:

                                                                                                Email: association@mountain-training.org



                                                                                                  Locryn Williams

                                                                                                  Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                  Telephone:

                                                                                                  Email: locrynwilliams@gmail.com


                                                                                                    Will Lynch Staunton

                                                                                                    Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                    Telephone:

                                                                                                    Email: willbutch@hotmail.com


                                                                                                      England - South West (Somerset and Dorset)

                                                                                                      Sam Ferguson

                                                                                                      Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                      Telephone:

                                                                                                      Email: association@mountain-training.org



                                                                                                        Position vacant

                                                                                                        Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                        Telephone:

                                                                                                        Email: mta@mountain-training.org



                                                                                                          England - South West (Devon and Cornwall)

                                                                                                          Julian Mann

                                                                                                          Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                          Telephone:

                                                                                                          Email: jmapeman@gmail.com



                                                                                                            Ju Lewis

                                                                                                            Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                            Telephone:

                                                                                                            Email: Ju.mtasw@gmail.com


                                                                                                              Mark Agnew

                                                                                                              Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                              Telephone:

                                                                                                              Email: mark@mwe-adventures.co.uk


                                                                                                                Jamie Langler

                                                                                                                Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                                Telephone:

                                                                                                                Email: association@mountain-training.org


                                                                                                                  Jen George

                                                                                                                  Assistant Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                                  Telephone:

                                                                                                                  Email: jennifer.s.george1@gmail.com



                                                                                                                    Each region has a Regional Coordinator who has kindly volunteered to take on the responsibility of organising and sourcing local events and activities as Continued Personal Development (CPD) opportunities for members, help by a team of Assistant Regional Coordinator. The volunteers are scattered throughout the region so that events and activities can happen all over as opposed to in one small area.

                                                                                                                    Regional events and activities are a chance for members to get together, gain valuable personal experience, practice skills, share ideas and socialise with other walking, climbing and/or mountaineering enthusiasts. Events are often peer led, giving members the chance to share their expertise and skills; they are also a great mentoring opportunity for members that are undergoing training and consolidation to gain advice and support from those further on in their qualification journey.

                                                                                                                    To get involved with your local group and/or find out what's happening in your area, contact your nearest Regional Coordinator using the details below. Our Regional Coordinators are always looking for new and fresh ways to bring CPD opportunities to their area and are keen to develop their workshop programme. If you have any new CPD ideas and/or would like to facilitate or coordinate a free or low-cost regional event or workshop yourself based on your expertise or interests, let them know.

                                                                                                                    Regional activities, events and workshops are listed under the workshop tab in your Mountain Training account and is how you book your place. Activities, events and workshops are also frequently advertised in the MTA Facebook Group. This is a member-led closed group used to network, share ideas, find activity partners, promote CPD workshops, and generally support each other during and after gaining qualifications.
                                                                                                                    UK and Ireland Map MTA Regions
                                                                                                                    Volunteer for your MTA region

                                                                                                                    MTA regional volunteer opportunities

                                                                                                                    Last updated: 11th July 2023

                                                                                                                    Regional Coordinator

                                                                                                                    We are currently seeking a Regional Coordinator for the following region:
                                                                                                                    • Republic of Ireland

                                                                                                                    Person specification

                                                                                                                    • A current Mountain Training Association member based within the applied for region
                                                                                                                    • A passion for walking, climbing and/or mountaineering
                                                                                                                    • Personable, approachable and a good team player
                                                                                                                    • Motivated to build a community of confident and expert leaders, instructors and coaches
                                                                                                                    • Organised and willing to create, promote and develop a schedule of peer led events and activities
                                                                                                                    • A Mountain Training qualification holder (desirable, but not essential)

                                                                                                                    Role description


                                                                                                                    How to apply

                                                                                                                    Simply download and fill in the application form below and email it to mta@mountain-training.org





                                                                                                                    Assistant Regional Coordinator (formerly Support Volunteers)

                                                                                                                    Climbing
                                                                                                                    Assistant Regional Coordinators exist to support the Regional Coordinator throughout the year; by organising some events and hosting meet-ups at venues near you, to share the load and reduce the amount of travel for the regional coordinators.

                                                                                                                    We are specifically interested in hearing from members in the following regions to give the Regional Coordinators in these areas a bit more support:
                                                                                                                    • Republic of Ireland
                                                                                                                    • Northern Ireland
                                                                                                                    • Scotland - East Highlands
                                                                                                                    • Scotland - West Highlands
                                                                                                                    • Scotland - Central Belt
                                                                                                                    • England - North East
                                                                                                                    • England - Lake District
                                                                                                                    • England - Yorkshire
                                                                                                                    • England - North West
                                                                                                                    • England - West Midlands
                                                                                                                    • England - East Midlands and Anglia
                                                                                                                    • England - South East and London (Central and South)
                                                                                                                    • England - South Central
                                                                                                                    • England - South West (Dorset and Somerset)

                                                                                                                    Role description


                                                                                                                    How to apply

                                                                                                                    Simply download and fill in the application form below and email it to belinda@mountain-training.org.


                                                                                                                    Deadline for applications

                                                                                                                    There is no current deadline on applications for Assistant Regional Coordinators. Applications are open all year around.


                                                                                                                    Other ways to get involved in your regional group


                                                                                                                    If you're an MTA member and you're interested in attending an event in your area, have a browse through the MTA workshop programme to find events near you. Alternatively, have a chat to your Regional Coordinator.

                                                                                                                    Our Regional Coordinators are continually looking for new and fresh ways to bring CPD opportunities to their area and are always keen to develop their workshop programme that runs throughout the year. They would be delighted to hear from you if you have any new CPD ideas and/or would like to facilitate or coordinate a free or low cost regional event or workshop yourself based on your expertise or interests.




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