The Council of Higher Education Caving Clubs
CHECC was formed during the UK’s first university caving club forum in 2002, it’s founders were Chris Jewell and Joel Corrigan. CHECC is now an established organisation setup to protect the interests of student caving. We encourage clubs which are having trouble with their unions or just starting out to get in touch for advice and support. As a body of experienced and student/former student cavers, with ties to the BCA and other caving organisations, we are able to offer official representation for your club on a national level. For more general caving related advice feel free to get touch about this too or refer to our caving Wiki.
Our broader aims are to strengthen communication and collaboration between different caving groups, creating new opportunities for caving and exploration. We facilitate this through 3 main annual events the CHECC forum and two smaller regional events: NCHECC and SCHECC. Through these events, we organise peer to peer training in order for you to hone your skills or learn something new and not to mention the best student caving party of the year. CHECC also owns a Disto which we can lend to clubs for surveying projects or expeditions.
CHECC has recently also released a set of caving guidelines for running a student caving club.
The Committee
Chair: Tom Phillips
Pronouns: he/him
Tom Phillips or Big Tom began caving in 2019 with Cardiff University Caving Club. He was asked if he would run for president after a heavy SCHECC. Whether it was a joke, we don’t know. But it solidified it in his mind and now here we are.
Secretary: James Waite
Pronouns: he/him
James started caving with his uncle and soon found a home at the club at Cardiff uni. He enjoys Pina coladas and long crawls in the rain.
Treasurer: Jemma Stephens
Pronouns: she/her
After sporadically caving since 2016, Jemma became president of Cardiff University Caving and Canyoning Club in 2021 with a solid 7 trips under her belt. Since then she has thrown herself into caving, although some may argue she appreciates a good spreadsheet or Google form above actually going underground. After meeting some of her closest friends through CHECC, she is excited to be a part of it.
Training Officer: Amelia Oliver
Pronouns: she/her
The previous training officer Rob told Mealy she should be the training officer next, he then changed his tune and said she would be rubbish; this reverse psychology worked very well. Mealy was heavily involved in the revival of Bangor Student Caving Club in 2020 and met many close friends through checc. Passionate about caving safe and staying alive!
Welfare Officer: Olivia Hookings
Pronouns: she/her
Hello all, I am Olivia the new Welfare Officer. Alongside CHECC, I’m part of Aberystwyth Caving Club (the best club). In my first year, upon entering the freshers fair, I had never heard of caving. I stumbled across the stall and was told to come into small, dark, wet holes. Well.. it didn’t take much convincing. Anyways see you all underground!
Sponsorship Officer: Isaac Neale
Pronouns: he/him
Isaac is ex-pres of Aber and their club historian. His enthusiasm for caving has not decreased since entering his first cave – or more accurately since 5 minutes after he entered, when his wellies were suddenly filled with freezing water! A big fan of caving games and songs, hopefully being on CHECC committee will stop him spending an uncomfortable amount of time researching headlamps.
Webmaster: A rlyn M iles
Pronouns: he/him
A r l y n has been caving and partying at CHECC since 2018. With time, his love-hate relationship with caving has transformed into actually enjoying caving… or maybe it’s Stockholm syndrome.