The Ramblers is a charity with 125,000 members across Britain. We are a democratic, membership organisation and all members can take an active role in determining Ramblers policy. We have 12,000 volunteers, giving their time to get involved in a wide range of work and activities that makes up our structure of Areas and Groups across England, Scotland and Wales.
Groups – local
There are nearly 500 local Groups across Britain. When you join the Ramblers you are allocated a Group according to your postcode. Each Group is run by a voluntary committee who co-ordinate the work carried out by that Group. But it’s not all committee work. All Groups publish a programme of led walks, many run local campaigns and some do practical footpath work. Groups communicate with the rest of the Ramblers by sending a delegate to Area Committee meetings. This ensures that Groups are represented at Area level and Areas are aware of the work being carried out by all the Groups in that region.
Areas - regional
There are over 50 Areas across Britain, broadly coinciding with a county or regional boundary. Areas are similar to Groups in that they too are managed by voluntary committees. However, the role of Area is primarily to support and oversee the work being carried by the Groups in that region, which could be anything up to 25. Areas therefore have a wider perspective on the work of the Ramblers. They are also responsible for distributing funds to their Groups and ensuring that all activities are in line with the Rambler’s charitable aims. Areas also play a key role in communication as they are often the first point of contact for the Ramblers in a particular region – for both the numerous Groups within the Area as well as outside organisations, Local Authorities and District Councils.
General Council and Board of Trustees - national
Ramblers policy is decided annually at General Council. Areas send delegates to vote on the issues being debated, which in turn will shape the direction of the organisation for the forthcoming year. General Council is also where members are elected to the Board of Trustees. The trustees are responsible for ensuring that decisions made at General Council are implemented effectively. For more information about the Board of Trustees, click here.
It is this structure: Group – Area – General Council – Board of Trustees that makes the Ramblers democratic and membership-driven throughout. And everyone actively involved in a Group, an Area, at General Council or right up to governance level on the Board of Trustees is a volunteer, giving their time to further the charitable aims of the Ramblers.
