A Team Member
How many members does NEWSAR have?
We currently have 34 Operational Members and 12 Trainee Members.
What do Team Members do outside of Mountain Rescue?
Team Members come from all walks of life. We currently have a furniture maker, graphic designer, police officer, paramedic, engineer as well as some outdoor instructors in the Team. We even have a taxman!
How do I become a Team Member?
We actively encourage applications from women and men, across all areas of society.
Applications to become a Team Member are considered at the start of each year. Your application form will be held on file until the selection process starts in January. If we progress your application you will be invited to an interview, which usually occurs in late January or early February. Applicants who we decide to progress from interview will then be invited back to a practical hill day, usually in the Clwydian Hills, to allow us to assess your current competency in some key areas, such as fitness and navigation. This hill day will also allow you to meet a variety of existing Team Members. At both the interview and subsequent hill day you are actively encouraged to ask questions.
On acceptance into the Team, you will be invited to attend your first training session in March or early April. For around the first four months you will be known as an Aspirant Member and this will give you time to find out whether being a member of the Team is really what you want. It will also give us an opportunity to see how you work within the Team.
If this trial period works out, you will be offered a place as a Trainee Member. During the following months you will be expect to pass the relevant mandatory assessments in navigation, first aid and rope work. You must also gain a level of experience in some non formally assessed areas such as search skills. Once all of this is complete you will placed on the callout list. This would normally take until November or December.
You can then progress by studying for higher assessments, e.g. in first aid, advanced cliff rescue techniques, water rescue etc.
What is the commitment required from a Team Member?
The key criteria for membership are commitment, a willingness to learn and the ability to work as part of a close and supportive team. Prospective Team Members should have good hill awareness and be physically fit.
NEWSAR currently trains three Wednesdays and one Sunday a month and as an Aspirant and Trainee Member you will be expected to attend at least 75% of these events. The commitment for Operational Members is not as high but it is important that you continue to train, enhance and exercise those skills learnt.
As fundraising is critical for NEWSAR, you will also be expected to attend a minimum number of fundraising events.
Whilst it is not always possible to attend callouts, we would expect that you do attend whenever possible.
Application Forms
Download a 3 page application form in Microsoft Word Format or Portable Document Format (PDF)
You may email completed forms to the Secretary – details of how to do this are explained at the end of the application form.
If you have any queries on the process please complete a contact form on the contact us page
Closing Date for New Applications
Applications to become a Team Member are considered annually.
Closing date for new applications is the 31 December each year.
