ClimbAID

🌟 Sport Unites Us! 🌟 The value of the work carried out by sports projects in the asylum sector is immense and difficult to estimate. From free language lessons and ‘easily accessible therapy’ to the development of a positive identity as a sportsperson and a sense of belonging to a community. The commitment of the often volunteer coaches in these projects is fantastic and admirable, and their value for the successful integration of refugees into Swiss society can hardly be underestimated. Check out these amazing organizations making a difference: Association Pervenches FLAG21 Peaks4All SPORTEGRATION Randonnée & Allemand Verein Mazay ⚽🏀🏋️♂️🤾♂️🧗🤝 Read more about how these organizations are fostering community and integration in this article by Vincent B. from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. #RefugeesWelcome #IntegrationThroughSport #CommunityBuilding #ClimbAID #UNHCR

🎊 Presenting: MaxiBloc 🎊   🧗♀️ In 2023, MaxiBloc held 45 climbing sessions, attracting 120 climbers from up to 7 nationalities. Thanks to the commitment of our volunteers, we've built a community of climbers who look forward to their Thursday evening climbs at OBLOC. The friendly atmosphere is evident as participants often arrive early to chat and share ideas. 🤩 A highlight of the year was the bouldering weekend for all MaxiFamily in Ticino. It was a great opportunity for families from across Switzerland to meet and connect. It was heartwarming to see the MaxiFamily bond extend beyond the 4 walls of our individual bouldering gyms. Events like this inspires us to keep the MaxiBloc family community strong! ✌️ In 2024, we plan to organize a team-building events for volunteers and a social gatherings for participants outside the climbing wall. We are also excited to support six of our climbers in learning sport climbing. Each MaxiFamily is unique, thanks to the diverse individuals who are part of it. We welcome you to join us and see for yourself! #MaxiBloc #ClimbingForPeace #ClimbingIsForEveryone

🌟 Presenting: MaxiGallus 🧗♀️ Our MaxiGallus family, hosted at the Kletterzentrum St. Gallen, has thrived in 2023! With dedicated volunteers and enthusiastic participants, the 40 sessions with an average of 18 participants turned into vibrant climbing courses that foster community and growth. 🤝 Our longtime climbers Jafer and Amir have stepped up as volunteers. Jafer’s dedication and Amir’s translation support for Afghan newcomers have been invaluable. With 10 committed volunteers, we have a strong team. 👐 In 2023, we collaborated with BAZ Altstätten and TISG in Niederuzwil, which brought many new climbers to our sessions and enriched our community. 🚀 We plan to reintroduce outdoor excursions, inviting seasoned participants for bouldering and toprope climbing adventures. More members of MaxiGallus are excited to join the Boulder Weekend 2024 in Chironico. 🌟 We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, volunteers, and partners. Together, we create connections and promote peace through climbing, proving that climbing is for everyone. #MaxiGallus #ClimbingforPeace #ClimbingisforEveryone

🌟 Presenting: MaxiArea 🏔️ After three years, the MaxiArea Family, which is hosted by the BoulderArea in Zug, is stronger than ever! 37 climbers have turned our weekly bouldering sessions into lively climbing courses on a total of 86 Tuesday and Thursday evenings in 2023 💪 🤝 Our community continues to grow and welcomes new climbers through partnerships with organisations such as FRW Interkultureller Dialog Zug and one-off courses at the Lilienberg MNA Centre. As we are allowed to climb at peak times in the evenings, we naturally socialise with other visitors, which helps to build friendships and mobilise new volunteers. 🧗♂️ Our participation in the annual MaxiFamily weekend in Chironico was an unforgettable experience for our eight participants, including both returning climbers and newcomers. 🚀 At the beginning of 2024, Liesbeth Deddens and Alessia Gervasoni take over the helm from Kim Bodmer and are determined to build on the successes. They are focusing on strengthening relationships with our partners and initiating new collaboration with asylum centres in the area to expand our reach. 🌟🧗♀️🌿 We would like to thank everyone who has supported MaxiArea - participants, volunteers and partners. Together, we are committed to the belief that climbing is for everyone, creating connections and promoting peace - one climb at a time. #MaxiArea #ClimbingforPeace #ClimbingisforEveryone

Here is a recording of the fantastic talk by A/Prof Katharina Luttenberger last week at UNSW on "bouldering psychotherapy" Katharina shares insights from her clinic, multiple RCTs she has led in Germany as well as novel data from an evaluation of a ClimbAID project in Lebanon. Thanks Katharina for visiting! https://lnkd.in/gMyemcyN

🪢Report from Robel Goitom on the Youth+Sport leader course in Arcegno 🌄 Taking part in the Jugend und Sport Leader course in sport climbing in Arcegno was an unforgettable experience for me. I felt well cared for and supported right from the start. The atmosphere during the course was just fantastic. Not only did I learn a lot about climbing, but I also made a lot of new friends. I was particularly impressed by the open and friendly nature of the people I met there. The time we spent together in the climbing gym, on the rock or playing table tennis will stay with me for a long time. The course also made me realise once again how much I would like to work with children and young people as an Y+S instructor. Thanks to ClimbAID, I not only discovered climbing, but also found a community of people who support and appreciate each other. A community in which caring for each other and for nature is more important than pursuing material values. Special thanks go to Beat from ClimbAID, with whom I mastered the multi-pitch routes Primus and Viadukt in Cheselen and Peter & Paul on the Mythenturm in preparation for the course. Especially the adventurous abseiling in the Cheselen next to the waterfall was an thrilling experience. I would also like to thank Reto for the great days on the rock and for the many years of friend and belaytionship. Last but not least, many thanks to Cityboulder, PilatusIndoor and Mammut Sports Group AG for your support for refugees. Your generous hospitality continues to open doors and opening up new worlds. 👏 The ClimbAID community congratulates you for successfully mastering the Youth+Sport leader course, Robel. Bravo!! #ClimbingforPeace #ClimbingisforEveryone #MaxiFamily

Presenting: MaxiUP! ☝️ Thanks to the dedication of our small but very committed volunteer team, our MaxiFamily cantered around BlocUP in Delémont successfully hosted a total of 28 climbing sessions in 2023. 👏 60 participants, half of whom women, including several mothers and their children enjoyed our climbing sessions! This achievement was made possible with the support of the Centre d'Animation et de Formation pour Femmes Migrantes (CAFF) and Association Jurassienne d’Accueil des Migrants (AJAM). 🤰One of ClimbAID’s goals is to create supportive spaces where women and girls can participate freely in sport activities, uninhibited by gender stereotypes. And we are proud that the MaxiUP family is contributing to this by creating such opportunities for women and girls! 💗 The atmosphere in the MaxiUP sessions? Uplifting 🤗 Described as relaxed, positive, and supportive – the impact of these sessions extends far beyond the gym walls. 💪 Special mention should be made of Alexej, who developed from a beginner to a regular climber and later even took part in a regional competition organised by the BlocUP climbing hall. We are proud of you, Alexej! Our MaxiFamilies are all volunteer-run, and ClimbAID is always in awe of the contribution our volunteers give for the continuity of these sessions! Interested in having a more active role in your community in Delémont? Come and join us, the only way is UP! #MaxiUP #ClimbingforPeace #ClimbingisforEveryone

Job opening! ClimbAID is seeking a well organised and detail-oriented individual to support the management of the organisation on a part-time basis as Assistant Manager, covering a wide range of tasks and responsibilities. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects, gain insight into the work of a sport and development organisation and become part of an inclusive and diverse community.

🧗♂️ Presenting: MaxiFelsly 🌟 With 33 sessions in 2023, the #MaxiFelsly family has grown in Basel. Over the course of the year, 80 climbers from 15 different countries have participated in our Saturday evening sessions ELYS Boulderloft, which have become a regular fixture for many, promoting diversity and cultivating a sense of togetherness. 🗣️ This year, Sprachcafé Basel joined us once a month and enriched our activities by offering language exercises and cultural exchange for our community. 🙋 Successful partnerships have led to an increase in the number of volunteers, and even more excitingly, several participants have become volunteers themselves. 🤝 Our alliance with the association sur le pont expands the opportunities for participants to take part in various sports activities. Our new collaboration with the SAC Basel gives participants the opportunity to join their youth club. 🎉 Thankfully, ELYS Boulderloft offers free entry, promoting an inclusive and diverse environment. Looking back, we are grateful for the support of our partners who not only make MaxiFelsly possible, but also contribute to its growth. We are proud to have touched and brought together so many different people and projects with our love of bouldering and would like to thank everyone who has made this possible. #MaxiFelsly #ClimbingforPeace #ClimbingisforEveryone

Don't miss this opportunity to meet ClimbAID board member and "bouldering scientist" A/Prof Katharina Luttenberger at UNSW (Sydney).