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How has AIM Helped Members During the Covid-19 Pandemic?

When the National lockdown was announced in March 2020 it affected every AIM Member. Despite the schemes announced by Government like the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the more recent Job Support Scheme, without being allowed to open or open fully, there have been some very difficult decisions to make and some Members have still not been able to reopen even partially.

To provide as much assistance and support as possible, AIM adjusted Members’ covers to reflect the reduced risks, covering just the essentials, and in turn provided refunds or amended monthly direct debits to ensure more money remained in your businesses. AIM also offered a 3 month payment holiday to any Members who paid monthly to assist with cash flow problems.

The AIM team have been working at home, answering your questions and concerns as quickly and as best they can, as well as juggling their own personal lives with home schooling and reduced childcare facilities.  With over 750 members and a small but dedicated team this was not an easy undertaking.  We have been reviewing risk assessments and helping you navigate the maze of Government guidance as restrictions were eased and local lockdowns imposed. All of the team have been grateful for your understanding and support in these unprecedented times.  With news about the vaccine roll out and a New Year upon us we know many of you will be looking to the future and planning for the restart of the outdoor industry and your businesses.  We hope that the Mutual continues to feature in your plans as your choice for liability cover.

AIM has also been working with organisations like the IOL and the UK Outdoors body, Save Outdoor Ed and Save Your Outdoor Centres to lobby Government to restart the outdoor industry.

As to the future and what 2021 will bring, we know there is still uncertainty about when the sector will be back up to running fully again.  With staff on furlough and very few or no activities being run,  the likelihood of claims is significantly reduced, but you should still check your property (equipment and buildings) regularly to ensure that there are no issues and that they remain secure.

Unfortunately we cannot provide another payment holiday as we did in the initial lockdown when the period of closure was uncertain. However, we do understand the financial difficulties and anxiety the ongoing pandemic is causing and have already helped hundreds of Members with their renewals by talking through their requirements and providing reduced cover where possible.   As you come around to your renewal AIM will work with you to provide as much flexibility as possible to ensure you aren’t paying for cover you don’t need presently, with the opportunity to scale it up when you do.

This is your Mutual and we want to work with you to ensure we are keeping you informed and reacting to your needs and requirements.

Outdoor Education Line

AIM Member, Releasing Potential and the UK Outdoors organisation, have offered the attached poster for use which uses the idea that as we travel from birth to adulthood, Outdoor Education can play an key role in someone being able to positively contribute to society.  The train line analogy explains the journey we go on when engaged with the outdoors and the consequences of either engaging with or not engaging with nature.

Please share, include in your website, print it off or ask Releasing Potential or a copy to help promote the importance of Outdoor Education Centres. This was produced in support of the campaign #saveoutdoored, and supporting the work of UK Outdoors (https://ukoutdoors.org.uk/).

If you do share it, use it or have comment we would appreciate any feedback that you may have.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

The-Outdoor-Education-Centre-Line_UKO

 

On Target Autumn 2020 Newsletter

Each year we publish our Autumn Newsletter, we love putting it together, and this year we’ve given Members the chance to tell their stories and share what’s working for them. We’ve heard from The Climbing Hangar, The Outdoors People and BeVenturesome.

Sam Sutton from New Forest Activities has offered some great marketing expertise on how providers can improve their services. Ben at BXM Expeditions has also provided us with a really great piece on mental health awareness.

We’ve also heard from Save Your Outdoor Centres, Save Outdoor Ed and from the ABC on the Climbing the Walls campaigns and we hope that you can support these.

As we have been unable to hold any member events this year we’ve included a section on our Team and Directors of the Board so you can put faces to names.

Plexus Law have provided a update on safeguarding of children, young people and and vulnerable adults in organisations.  This feature also gives some case updates where vicarious liability is discussed.

We hope to see all of you soon at one of our Member Events when we can finally get together safely. In the meantime we will continue to offer the Zoom get togethers that many of you have enjoyed.

Please provide any feedback or questions you may have to [email protected]

AIM-Newsletter16-11-2020

 

Government Guidance – National restrictions from 5th November

The following guidance is available from the Government website which includes information on the new national restrictions, including what they mean for working from home and business closures, why they are being introduced and the financial support available.

We understand that amongst the list of the businesses to close these will include climbing walls and indoor bouldering centres.  We understand that for many AIM Members this will be devastating news.

We are in contact with the Association of British Climbing Walls to support Members with information if available.

We continue to support the #Saveoutdoored and #Saveyouroutdoorcentres campaigns and urge AIM Members and those involved in the outdoor sector to do the same.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

Save Outdoor Ed – RYG Centre