A walking and climbing research project

Your movement matters is a walking and climbing research project designed to provide information to support the development and implementation of evidence-based diversity and inclusion strategies.

Walking and climbing are activities enjoyed by people of all abilities across the UK and Ireland, in local parks and climbing walls, in the hills and on high mountain tops. It’s important to all of us that we understand who is taking part in these activities, to help us provide better services for everyone, regardless of their age, gender, ethnic background, sexuality, disability or other demographics.

We’ve come together to create Your movement matters. Your movement matters is a research project designed to establish the baseline figures for the demographics of those who participate in varied styles and practises of walking and climbing across the UK and Ireland. Whether people participate once a year, every day, or don’t know how to get started, their movement matters to us. We want to know more about who they are and what they want to do.

You can help

Later this spring we’ll be launching the Your movement matters survey and we need as many people as possible to take part so we can gather the information we need to work towards inclusive and representative experiences for everyone.

• Follow Your movement matters on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
• Share this article with your colleagues so everyone knows about the Your movement matters research project.
• Start thinking about how you could maximise the reach of this survey by sharing it with your friends, colleagues and customers when it’s available.
• Keep your eyes peeled for the survey which will be launched later in the spring.
• The research project will be completed by the end of June 2021 with results available across the sector.

Research funded by:

Research conducted by:

Further information

For further information about the research project please contact Nicola Jasieniecka, Media & IT Development Officer at Mountain Training, nicola@mountain-training.org

The funding organisations are:

Association of British Climbing Walls – Promoting the professionalism, health and growth of indoor climbing.

BMC (British Mountaineering Council) – The representative body for walkers and climbers in England and Wales.

Camping and Caravanning Club – The world's oldest and largest Club for all forms of camping.

National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes (NICAS) – these are UK-wide climbing and bouldering schemes designed to promote climbing development and accredit individual achievement on artificial climbing structures.

Mountain Training – The network of UK and Ireland awarding bodies for skills courses and leadership qualifications in walking, climbing and mountaineering.

Outdoor Industries Association – The trade body for manufacturers, retailers and other organisations that provide products and services for the outdoor leisure pursuits market in the United Kingdom.

Plas y Brenin – Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre is a world-renowned provider of adventure sports training. From a base in the scenic heart of Snowdonia, Plas y Brenin’s work is focused on developing inspiring coaches, instructors and leaders in adventure sport, be they volunteers or working professionally in the sector, to better support people, from all backgrounds, to get active in the outdoors. The centre also offers an extensive programme of personal skill development courses in rock climbing, hillwalking and mountaineering, kayaking, canoeing, sea kayaking and mountain biking.

The Ramblers helps everyone, everywhere, enjoy walking and protects the places we all love to walk. It is the only charity dedicated to looking after paths and green spaces, leading walks, opening up new places to explore and encouraging everyone to get outside and discover how walking boosts your health and your happiness.