The BMC recognises the huge benefit that the mountain hut network offers to the mountaineering community. We want to ensure that this network survives the current COVID-19 crisis, and to do so we would like clubs to respond to this short survey so that we can better understand the on-the-ground position. We appreciate the sensitive nature of the data that we are asking for. We can assure you that no personal data will be shared, and will only be used by the BMC Clubs Officer to make further contact with you about potential funding support during the crisis. The responses about your hut finances will be held in complete confidence and only used by the BMC Clubs Officer and those from the BMC Board and National Council with responsibility for huts and clubs. Collated and anonymised results may be shared within relevant groups in the BMC, such as the Board of Directors, National Council, Clubs’ Committee and Huts Group in order to provide more tailored support to clubs and huts. Some data may also need to be shared externally with potential funding partners such as Sport England. If you have any concerns about this please contact Jane Thompson.
It is to the benefit of each club/hut to complete and submit this survey as soon as possible. Some sources of support are already receiving significant interest so at the latest, please can you complete and submit the survey by 10am on Tuesday 14th April.
Current support options for clubs and huts
There is a page on the BMC website (www.thebmc.co.uk/covid-19-club-meets-club-huts-frequently-asked-questions) where questions that have been received from clubs are posted. If you have any further questions please contact Jane Thompson (BMC Clubs, Huts & Volunteers Officer) on jane@thebmc.co.uk.
Financial support has already been announced that many clubs will be able to access for their club hut. We would recommend that you visit this HM Government web page (www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/) which details the support available to small businesses (many huts may fall in to this classification for the purpose of this funding).
On 31st March Sport England announced emergency funding to support community clubs (www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/community-emergency-fund) based in England (even if their hut is located in Wales). It is expected that clubs will have exhausted all other avenues of Government funding first. We have agreed with Sport England that we will assist them in priotising those from mountaineering who are most in need of any financial support that they may be able to provide.
For those clubs based in Wales it is recommended that you use this link to the Sport Wales website (www.sport.wales/media-centre/latest-news/2020-03-31-grants-loans-and-support-to-help-sports-organisations-during-coronavirus-pandemic/) for further support and advice.
This survey is primarily aimed at clubs that operate huts or similar facilities as they are likely to be facing the biggest challenges. Whether or not you operate a hut, if your club finances are critically affected by current events, please complete the questionnaire if and as applicable, or contact jane@thebmc.co.uk directly with details.
This will allow us to contact you should we require further information or could offer you support
For those clubs with multiple huts please complete one survey form per hut
If you believe that you will not require external funding then you do not have to complete the remainder of the form, please just submit the form by clicking the button at the bottom of the page. Completion will however help us to get a better overall picture of the financial health of our asset-operating clubs.
If you will require funding to cover your loss of income and/or do not believe that you are eligible for grant funding from your council then please complete the remainder of this form.
If you have further information or any other comments that you would like to make please detail it below:
