ROKT Foundation

2259. Dr Maxwell Noble

Dr Max’s international career in healthcare consulting, together with his  academic background in health outcome research and desire to encourage more people to participate in physical activity, drove him to found the ‘ROKT Foundation’ in 2017 to inspire more people to get into climbing. Based in Yorkshire, the ‘ROKT Foundation’ invites people of all ages, children with a range of neurodivergent needs, those suffering with their mental health and people who want to experience something new to try climbing, ensuring the benefits of climbing are not limited to avid climbers. Through tailored programmes, ‘ROKT Foundation’ has engaged over 1000 people every year in climbing.

This includes ‘Climbing For All’ sessions for children and young people with disabilities, and their families, to enjoy climbing.  The Foundation recently launched a ‘Moving through Menopause’ programme which incorporates climbing, nutrition, medical advice and a sense of community to support women going through menopause. ‘ROKT Foundation’ also offers some programmes on their outdoor climbing wall, the largest man made wall in the UK, to combine the positive impact that climbing and being outdoors provides.

In a personal letter to Maxwell, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 

“From your work in healthcare and academia, you know the many benefits that come from being physically active. So it is fantastic that you have created the ROKT Foundation to inspire more people to get into climbing.

“Together with Katie, and the whole ROKT team, your inclusive programmes are helping more than a thousand people every year – including through your incredible outdoor climbing wall, the largest of its kind in the UK.”

Dr Noble said:

“This kind recognition is for the whole ‘ROKT Foundation’ charity. The work the team does day in, day out to change lives by putting climbing and urban activity at the heart of it all is amazing.

“I always wanted to establish this charity and the road wasn’t easy, but I am so glad I did. The work Katie, our ‘ROKT Foundation’ Director, and her team does is – for me – unlike anywhere else. I get the pleasure of witnessing the changes in real people too – from the person that walks through the door on day one to the person that leaves at the end of a course. ‘ROKT Foundation’ really is game-changing.

“What Katie has also done is build strong bonds with other agencies, charities and groups to amplify our impact and draw down specialist support, meaning we can help more people in more ways – from menopause to mental health and suicide prevention to profoundly disabled children. Climbing can do things that no other activity can in ways our service users couldn’t believe possible.

“It’s truly an honour to receive the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award. The ‘ROKT Foundation’ community is incredible. This award is a celebration of the drive, ambition, and passion that Katie and the instructing team and our dedicated Board of Trustees and Patrons have for our mission. Every day we change lives, offer new perspectives, sometimes at extreme heights! Above all what we do is inclusive which is, and always will be, the dream.  I also want to express on behalf of Katie and I and the entire ‘ROKT Foundation’ team our gratitude to Points of Light for celebrating volunteers and community engagement. Finally thank you to the selection committee for this prestigious recognition. We are honoured to be counted among the incredible and diverse group of individuals who have received this award.”

Find out more about the ‘ROKT Foundation’