Equality, inclusion and diversity
The BMC is committed to ensuring that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are inclusive for all, with recognition of background and ability, for the benefit of health, enjoyment and achievement.
Ensuring that diversity and inclusion is at the heart of the new BMC 2025 – 2030 strategy is fundamental to the development of the BMC becoming more representative of society.
Our Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan sets out our vision for the future by recognising where we are now and where we would like to get to. This plan establishes our firm commitment to diversity and inclusion from leadership and governance, through internal recruitment practices to the programmes we will deliver to engage and support more under-represented communities.
We also recognise that our sector still has a long way to go to be truly representative. We remain committed and are working hard to build inclusivity into each and every activity, event and project we create. Our work is ongoing and ever-changing, and we will review our work and commitments on a regular basis and share them with our members and wider community.
BMC Equality and Diversity Strategy and Action Plan
The BMC has an Action Plan setting out a structure for achieving greater diversity at Board level and on Members Council.
Finding Our Way Podcast
Finding Our Way is the BMC's podcast series which champions walkers, climbers and mountaineers from diverse backgrounds. We want to diversify the people we normally hear talking about the outdoors, celebrate their stories, shine a light on their insights, and create a place for discussion, inclusion and practical advice. Berghaus proudly sponsors the Finding Our Way Podcast.
Outdoors For All
BMC-commissioned research has shown that a range of barriers can prevent those who need it most getting outside. And we are looking at what we can do to change it.
OutdoorHer
This resource is for everyone who is looking to learn more about women's health and kit requirements in the outdoors, from participants to leaders and allies. It has been created with inclusion in mind and we hope that it helps to support and improve adventures for all, speaking to a range of issues that have often been overlooked.
Inspired by conversations with walkers, climbers and leaders about managing their periods, menopause and toileting when out in the wild, BMC and Mountain Training have created some simple ‘how-to’ guides that go through these topics and more.
BMC EDI Committee
The role of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee is to act as a voice for and to champion the interest of diverse climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers within the BMC. The role of the Committee is also to contribute to the strategic direction and review of the BMC’s EDI Strategy and Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (the DIAP).
Affinity Outdoor Groups Directory
Not listed here but want to be? No problem, email emma@thebmc.co.uk and we can add your group to the list!
Groups Index
Group getting more gay, bi and trans guys outdoors.
The UK's first Queer Outdoor Climbing festival. Combining trad climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering with queer joy outdoors.
Lets Go Belay and Boulder Together
Devon-based climbing club exclusively for LGBTQ+ people and their friends.
National LGBTQ+ BMC Affiliated climbing club
Outdoor queer community group based in Manchester
Queer folks taking up space climbing, hiking, cycling and swimming
Casual hikes for queer types. A safe space to get muddy and avoid cows.
An LGBTQ+ friendly social club where climbers have the opportunity to mix and socialise
Wheelchair hubs where disabled people can borrow suitable chairs to access the Dales National Park
Collective of clubs, groups, comps and resources for paraclimbers and allies
Leeds Paraclimbing Club is an inclusive climbing charity that helps people with disabilities and mental health conditions access the benefits of climbing.
Sheffield charity aiming to get more people living with disabilities into climbing
Climb 2 Recovery supports seriously and chronically wounded, injured, sick, disabled and disadvantaged service people and veterans through a year-round programme of fully-funded residential adaptive and progressive climbing and mountaineering.
Wheelchair user, Ramblers ambassador, campaigner on disability and access in the countryside.
Bringing the worldwide community of climbers with Ehlers-Danlos/HSD together to share our stories, exchange tips, plan socials & celebrate our sport
Inspiration and support for people with black ancestry who walk and hike
A community fighting for representation of East & Southeast Asian people in the outdoors
Young trail runners from diverse backgrounds
Muslim women’s hiking and adventure group
Based in Scotland, uniting communities to access the outdoors
Organisation supporting Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to build positive relationships with the outdoors ClimbMuz- Muslim climbers’ community
Group bringing confidence, skills, visibility and new communities into the UK hills
Muslim climbers’ community
London based social climbing group for Asian climbers
London based climbing community
Social club for global majority climbers
A people of colour (POC) led grassroots collective based in the UK, with members across the globe.
Peak District-based nature for healing walkshops by + for POC
UK-wide women’s climbing club
A community venture to support and inspire women in their alpine pursuits.
A women's adventure community aiming to remove the barriers stopping women from getting out on adventures!
Community to inspire all women no matter what their age, experience or ability to get into the outdoors.
Women's Climbing Group
Charity working with people facing mental health challenges, using trekking & mountaineering as part of recovery journeys for beneficiaries.
Charity offering free activities and lots of advice on supporting your mental health and wellbeing in the outdoors.
Natural England account promoting work to increase universal access to nature in England.
ATE work on diversity across the outdoors. Bringing groups together, sharing support, learning & best practice. If you bookmark one link, make it this one.
Collective of instructors and influencers who are trying to demystify EDI and help more people understand how to change things!
Promoting justice and equity in climbing. Events for participants and advice for walls, clubs and brands.
Campaigning for and representing larger bodies in the outdoors
Volunteers helping unite under-served groups who need kit with brands that want to donate kit, and funds to help buy kit.
A free climbing club for people fleeing war, persecution, and exploitation
Connecting BAME Communities with the Outdoors
WATCH: Outdoors For All
It’s true that the outdoors is free, but is it equal? Is it a space where anyone can go and gain the benefits that are so obvious to anyone who has enjoyed a day on the hills or a climb on a crag. Unfortunately, not; a BMC-commissioned study has shown that economic or cultural barriers can prevent those who need it most getting outside. And we are looking at what we can do to change it.
Studies and anecdotal evidence has shown the economic barriers – working long hours, lack of private transport, expensive equipment, poor health – and cultural barriers – no family or community traditions of the outdoors, lack of role models, age – has tilted the land in favour of wealthier demographics, the most obvious result being a lack of diversity in the outdoors compared to the country as a whole.
To tackle these inequalities the BMC has a Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy which takes a hard look at the situation, not just in general but within the organisation itself, and outlines its plans to address the inequity of the outdoors.