Walking clubs from across Northern Ireland gathered at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre for the UFRC Spring Gathering, a successful day of learning, discussion and connection for all who joined.
The event welcomed 34 representatives from 10 UFRC member clubs for a full programme of presentations and workshops designed to support clubs in growing participation, strengthening their activities and sharing good practice.
The morning began with a welcome from UFRC Chairperson, Norman Elliott, followed by project updates from Kerry Kirkpatrick, UFRC’s Development Officer, on the current Sport NI funding programme. Attendees also heard from Fintan Thompson, UFRC Committee Member, who demonstrated UFRC’s new partnership with Outdooractive – one of the benefits available to UFRC members – and highlighted new developments on this website. Mike McClure from Landscapes NI provided an overview of the organisation’s work advocating for the protection, management and enjoyment of Northern Ireland’s landscapes. His presentation highlighted the importance of designated landscapes such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO sites, and the role they play in supporting biodiversity, communities and outdoor recreation.
A highlight of the morning programme was the keynote presentation from Nicola Fickling of Ramblers GB, who shared insights from the organisation’s experience of supporting walking groups across Great Britain. Nicola spoke about something simple but powerful: how every small act of welcome, every thoughtfully designed walk, and every positive interaction can help someone feel like they truly belong. For volunteer-led clubs looking to attract and retain new members, these small actions can make a significant difference – not only creating more inclusive walking experiences but also helping clubs grow and thrive.
The afternoon sessions gave attendees the opportunity to take part in two practical workshops.
Mark Montgomery from Disability Sport NI led an interactive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) workshop which encouraged clubs to reflect on how inclusive their activities are and how they can make adjustments to remove barriers to participation. Through group discussions and exercises, it became clear that many clubs are already taking positive steps towards being more inclusive. With the right support, guidance and confidence, these clubs are well placed to build on the great work they are already doing.
The second workshop, delivered by Jon Lees, NIEA, Eimear Rooney, RAPTOR Study Group, and Dean Jones, RSPB, all representatives from the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland (PAW NI), focused on wildlife awareness for walk leaders. The session highlighted wildlife disturbance and the signs walkers should be aware of when enjoying the Northern Irish countryside. Many attendees commented that they had not previously been aware of some of the signals that wildlife may be under pressure or disturbed. Equipped with this new knowledge, clubs are now better prepared to recognise these situations and take steps to reduce disturbance when leading walks.
The UFRC Spring Gathering once again demonstrated the value of bringing clubs together to share experiences, learn from experts and strengthen the walking community across Northern Ireland. With clubs powered entirely by volunteers, opportunities to exchange ideas, build confidence and access practical support are vital in helping them continue to thrive.
UFRC would like to thank all of the speakers, workshop facilitators and attendees who contributed to making the event such a positive and engaging day. Slide decks and resources from the day are available here: Post Event Resources – Spring Gathering 2026 – Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs
