This week marks not only UK Coaching Week, but also National Volunteers' Week - two causes very close to our heart. Throughout the week, we will be showcasing a number of fantastic volunteers from the England Athletics family, as well as giving you some exclusive discount to kickstart your coaching or officiating journey.

England Athletics’ seven-strong Club Support team provides a valuable and comprehensive service to our clubs: engaging in two-way conversation; acting upon club feedback; providing support and guidance; and ensuring that our affiliated clubs are well-placed to grow and thrive. With visits to clubs including Retford Athletics Club, Macclesfield Harriers & Athletics Club, Dartford Harriers Athletics Club and Bristol & West Athletics Club, we were – as always – able to meet some of the many volunteers who help our clubs to function and thrive. We also attended the Track & Field County Championships, in Suffolk, Nottinghamshire, Middlesex, Cumbria and Warwickshire.

Chris Johnson has had a strong passion for running and athletics since childhood and is an active member of Blaydon Harrier & Athletics Club. His personal background includes middle/long-distance running as well as high jump and hurdles. Recently, he has re-discovered his passion for running, but has also discovered how much he enjoys coaching.

funetics was created to help 4-11 year old children to learn, develop and practice running, jumping and throwing skills. We recently caught up with Ian McAlister, Junior Development Lead at East Durham Running Club, who took the initiative to bring this programme to East Durham.

Wakefield Council recently commissioned the refurbishment of the existing track and field facilities at Thornes Park Athletic Stadium. This is fantastic news for Wakefield Harriers, who can now train on a vastly improved facility – it is also set to benefit other public groups, local schools, and Wakefield Triathlon Club. We spoke to Wakefield Harriers to find out more.

Last weekend, the Club Support Team and other members of England Athletics staff were delighted to visit a range of championships spanning the country.

This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May) - a topic very important to all at England Athletics.

We recently caught up with 2024 Regional Volunteer Award winner, head coach, and founder of Boro Runners, Ben Palmer, to learn more about how he puts fun and social connection at the heart of the club.

We caught up with Mental Health Champions Sue Palmer, Hastings Runners, and Michael Beasley, Stone Master Marathoners, to find out more about how running has impacted their own mental health and how they have supported their running groups.

Each month, our team is out and about, up and down the country, visiting clubs in-person as regularly as possible, alongside their ongoing digital communications with clubs. April's activity: visits to clubs including BeFit Today Track Academy, Ilford AC, Enfield and Haringey AC, Houghton Harriers, North Shields Polytechnic AC, Cirencester AC, Halesowen ACC and Doncaster AC. Our team – as always – were able to meet some of the many volunteers who help our clubs to function and thrive. Some of them gave us an explanation of their roles, and an update on their club’s activities.