“I know what it’s like to think “what do I do next?”

I’ve always been excited by the outdoors. Our courses are a different sort of learning. We do work in the classroom but we also head for our base in Parkhurst Forest once a week, where we can present teaching in a different way. We get to go mountain biking, but we’re also learning about navigation, timings, building a team and managing the task in hand.

I joined HTP in September 2021. I had previously worked at a children’s activity centre and my background is in outdoor learning provision. My degree is in youth and community work. In my early twenties I worked in Canada on a summer camp, which has really stayed with me, where we water skied before we went to work!

I grew up in the north Manchester area, on the edge of the Pennines. On Sundays we would go walking on a Sunday with the dogs so I was always exploring the outdoors. Our family had a canoe and I was in youth clubs at school as well as the Scouts.

Working for HTP means I can match my skills to a learning environment again. I’m in my early 50s now so teaching is great for me and I can continue to work outdoors and with young people. I have two sons so my weekends are usually spent outdoors, in the water or on the water, kayaking, snorkelling or swimming in the sea.

I often see the younger me in my students. I know what it’s like to think “what do I do next? How do I make the fun carry on?” It’s a thrill to be able to help them to take decisions that can help shape their lives and careers. I really enjoy watching them find themselves.