The Community Training project is dedicated to empowering local residents by enhancing their skills to facilitate inclusive access to outdoor recreation in the Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands area.
In partnership with Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, we have successfully supported the training and development of over 30 participants to date. These individuals have completed a range of specialized training programs designed to equip them with the necessary skills, qualifications, and confidence to lead and promote outdoor activities in the Binevenagh area.
Leave No Trace Awareness Training
This one-day certified course provides essential tools and techniques for minimizing environmental impact and promoting responsible recreation. It attracted outdoor educators, teachers, youth workers, and nature enthusiasts.
Leave No Trace Trainer Course
This course focused on teaching the seven principles of Leave No Trace, enabling participants to prepare and deliver short educational sessions within their community groups to foster awareness of responsible outdoor practices.
Emergency Rescue Care Level 2
This certified Emergency First Aid Course, valid for three years, serves as an entry point for the Rescue Emergency Care scheme. Recognized by British Canoeing, Mountain Training, and the Royal Yachting Association, it teaches a systematic approach to managing casualties.
Mountain Skills Level 2
This course builds upon existing skills, enhancing participants’ mountain walking abilities. It covers practical skills such as planning a mountain walk, understanding equipment, interpreting weather forecasts, navigation techniques, minimizing environmental impact, and emergency procedures.
Lowland Leader Award
The Lowland Leader Award is a nationally recognized training scheme developed by the Mountain Training boards across Ireland and the UK. It is designed to equip individuals with the skills and confidence to lead groups on summer day walks through lowland and woodland environments, ensuring safety and enjoyment for all participants. This award is particularly suited for those who wish to lead walking groups on established paths and trails that are well-marked and accessible, rather than in mountainous or more remote areas.
For our group, the focus was on the Binevenagh region, an area known for its stunning landscapes and diverse woodland trails. Training was conducted on Binevenagh Mountain, which provided an ideal environment to practice navigation, group management, and leadership in the type of terrain the award is intended for. This allowed participants to gain practical, hands-on experience in the lowland setting, while also developing an understanding of how to handle various situations that may arise during walks, such as changes in weather, group dynamics, and route planning.
The training program consisted of both classroom and outdoor sessions, focusing on key areas such as navigation, risk assessment, and environmental responsibility. Participants were trained to guide groups safely, while promoting respect for the natural environment and fostering an appreciation for the outdoors.
Hill & Moorland Leader Qualification
The Hill & Moorland Leader Qualification is a nationally recognized certification designed for experienced hill walkers who wish to take their skills to the next level by leading groups in more challenging terrain. Developed by the Mountain Training boards across the UK and Ireland, this qualification focuses on enabling individuals to confidently and safely lead groups on summer day walks in hill and moorland environments.
Unlike lowland areas, hills and moorlands present unique challenges, such as more complex terrain, less defined paths, and changing weather conditions, requiring a higher level of knowledge, skill, and leadership. This qualification is specifically targeted at those who already have significant walking experience and wish to expand their leadership abilities to include these wilder landscapes.
Our project involved extensive training in hill and moorland environments, focusing on navigation, group management, and safety in more remote, open areas. Participants were trained in key areas including Navigation skills, Route planning, Risk assessment and management and Emergency procedures.
Our group specifically focused on training across the region, where participants could apply these skills in real-world conditions. This hands-on experience was crucial in preparing them to lead groups confidently in environments where navigation is more challenging and where weather and terrain can change quickly.
The training was not just about practical skills but also emphasized environmental responsibility. Leaders are encouraged to foster a deeper appreciation for the natural environment in those they lead, promoting sustainable outdoor practices and respect for the landscapes they are exploring.
By the end of the program, participants had gained the expertise needed to guide groups safely and responsibly through hill and moorland terrain, making this qualification highly valuable for those interested in outdoor leadership, whether professionally, for volunteer work, or for personal development.
Mountain Leader Qualification
The Mountain Leader qualification is a prestigious certification that enables individuals to guide groups through the highest and most challenging peaks across the UK and Ireland. These leaders are tasked with safely navigating remote and rugged mountain environments, balancing the thrill of breathtaking views with the responsibility of tackling demanding terrain and making critical decisions in often unpredictable conditions.
Over the past two years, our group has been working diligently toward achieving this highly regarded qualification. The training program has involved a comprehensive mix of practical experience and theoretical knowledge, covering essential areas such as:
Advanced navigation: Mastering navigation techniques in mountainous areas, including the use of maps, compasses, and GPS in poor visibility and featureless terrain.
Risk management: Learning how to assess and manage potential hazards, such as sudden weather changes, rocky ascents, and steep descents, ensuring the safety of the group at all times.
Emergency procedures: Preparing for unforeseen incidents, including managing injuries, hypothermia, and other emergencies that could arise in remote locations.
Leadership skills: Developing the ability to lead diverse groups, manage group dynamics, and make sound decisions under pressure.
Training took place in mountainous areas across the UK and Ireland, providing participants with hands-on experience in some of the most challenging and inspiring landscapes. From rocky ridgelines to steep, exposed trails, participants learned how to guide others confidently through a variety of mountain conditions.
As our group continues to progress toward qualification, they have gained invaluable experience in both the technical and leadership aspects of mountain walking, positioning themselves to become certified Mountain Leaders. This achievement will allow them to guide groups safely and effectively through some of the most stunning and challenging peaks in the UK and Ireland, inspiring others to explore these majestic landscapes while ensuring safety and environmental stewardship.
Fixed Wing Glider Instructor Training
In partnership with the Ulster Gliding Club, we have embarked on a four-year training program aimed at increasing the number of qualified fixed-wing glider pilots and instructors within the club. This initiative is not only designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and certifications to become glider pilots but also to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the Ulster Gliding Club by fostering a new generation of trained instructors.
Throughout the program, participants have worked closely with experienced pilots and instructors from the Ulster Gliding Club, receiving hands-on mentorship and guidance as they progress toward becoming fully qualified glider pilots and, eventually, instructors.
This project has also strengthened the club’s reputation as a center for high-quality glider training and instruction, helping to promote the sport of gliding within the region. As participants move closer to full qualification, they are not only contributing to their personal development but also playing a pivotal role in securing the future of the club.
This collaborative effort has played a pivotal role in fostering a community of trained outdoor leaders, helping to ensure the safe and enjoyable exploration of Binevenagh’s unique natural landscapes.
Additionally, the project is working to establish community outdoor recreation orientation points along the coastline, further enhancing accessibility and engagement with the natural environment.