How to join the Holme Valley Team and what's involved

Holme Valley Team - thinking of joining the Team?

The Holme Valley Team, why not join us?

So you would like to find out more about joining and becoming a member of the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team?

Read on to find out a bit more about joining and become a hill member. Or if it's more you to help not happy at being outdoors in all weathers we also appreciate the help members in a supporting role. Either way, particularly with the Holme Valley Team, there is a good social atmosphere.

Most people join to work through the training and eventually join the 'call out' list. This is the term used to describe those who respond at anytime of the day or night to the emergency incidents.

As a general rule, and depending on your experience, commitment, knowledge, etc. this usually takes about a year of attending training exercises with the Team to make it to call-out level.

Over the course of an average year you would expect to encounter all aspects of training related to the kind of work undertaken in the Team, while it is also a chance to fit in to the Team, develop your strengths and for the Team to get to know you. Once you have met all the Team's criteria for training, you will then be invited to join the 'call out' list.

Become a Team Member

In the first instance, there is a simple membership form to complete that covers your current hillcraft experience, what outdoor equipment you may have, as well as where you live (you will need to live in the area we cover). A form, together with more details about joining, is available on request by e-mail or post via the contact us page.

You must be over the age of 16 to join the Team, though Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh's Award participants can join for their community service sections for the higher Awards.

The social aspects of membership

It's not all serious, many Team members enjoy participating in active mountain sports outside the Team in this country and overseas.

Below is a small selection of photographs taken on the Team Weekend - February 2006 in North Wales. They are taken during a walk on Tryfan. This is a social weekend for Team Members and provides an opportunity to develop winter skills.

The Brisley Ridge	Photographs taken on the Team's Social weekend to North Wales, February 2006.	Climbing the Chimney
The view across the Snowdon Valley	The rest of the group on Tryfan	The view across to Snowdon

Supporting Members

The Holme Valley Team appreciates all it's Team Members

The Holme Valley Team also welcome applications from people who may just want to support the work we do in the other areas of what we do. There is a great deal of work involved in the administration, the organising and running a Rescue Team. Fundraising, promoting our image, maintaining equipment etc. are all vital areas to ensure the Holme Valley Team remains effective and able to function.

We all have skills we could offer for a good cause...