Carnegie Great Outdoors work to increase diversity in mountaineering leadership

The Leeds Beckett University based organisation is providing two hill walking skills days in June and September this year to provide the group with advice, support and training as they work towards qualifying as Lowland Leaders.  

The support is being funded by the university’s Carnegie School of Sport and builds on the work and partnerships that are evolving out of the Your Movement Matters project led by Dr Chris Kay.

Your Movement Matters saw Leeds Beckett University join forces with eight of the UK’s leading walking, climbing and outdoor leisure organisations for a ground-breaking research project to understand the demographics of participants, peoples desires to participate in new activities and the experiences they have had related to walking and climbing.

Dr Chris Kay said: “Our research recommends supporting innovative community groups that aim to enhance opportunities to participate in walking and climbing. We are acting on our own advice from the Your Movement Matters project in helping to develop the skills of female Muslims who aspire to become hill walking leaders.”

Following these skills days, the Wanderlust Women participants will have the opportunity to practice their skills and gain experience before applying to take the Lowland Leader award.

The Lowland Leader award, via Mountain Training, is designed for people who wish to lead groups on day walks in lowland countryside and woodland in summer conditions. The aim of this initiative is that the Wanderlust Women group can expand their reach to enable more people to feel confident in the outdoors and enjoy a series of guided group walks safely.

Carnegie Great Outdoors (CGO), part of Leeds Beckett University, is a leading provider of outdoor education, adventurous activities and leadership and management development.  It delivers events and training for individuals, educational, sporting, military, charity and business clients across the UK and overseas.

This is further illustration of Leeds Beckett University's high-quality and high impact research which was recognised by the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

The REF 2021 results showed that 53% of the university’s submission was rated 3* and 4* and therefore considered internationally excellent or world-leading.

Read more about the university’s research with impact on our website.