Dan is the founder and Director of Active Hope. He was a primary school teacher who retrained as an outdoor instructor. Dan is passionate about giving children and young people new opportunities, and he loves the challenge and excitement of our work.

Director of Operations

Paul Cannell

Paul has been part of our team for over 11 years, first as a volunteer, and now as a staff member. Starting off as an instructor in archery, climbing, water sports and mountain biking, Paul now spends most of his time organising our events, and fundraising.

Projects Manager

Lynsey Atherton

Lynsey is our Office Manager. She has worked with Active Hope for more than 12 years. She initially started volunteering on our Adventure Academy project and got hooked! Lynsey now works as our Office Manager - providing the essential admin and organisation behind all of our projects.

Office Manager

Isaac Jepson

Our most recent addition to the team brings a wealth of enthusiasm and passion for being in the great outdoors. Having spent the last few years working and studying in Anglesey, Isaac has relocated to Warrington, where we are excited to see his development and growth as he easily slots into the squad.

Junior Instructor

Alex Worthington

Alex has had some previous experience working in an outdoor centre, where he began his journey into the outdoors!

Already a keen archer, we are excited to welcome Alex onto team, and watch him develop his skills further

Junior Instructor

Daniel Conant

Daniel joined us at the same time as Alex, as a Trainee Instructor.

Daniel will go through our development programme to get experience and qualifications in a whole host of activities, to enable him to support the young people we work with

Trainee Instructor

Josiah Whiffen

One of the newest members to team, Josiah has relocated to join us as part of our instructional team. Having previously worked for a church in Devon, Josiah brings a lively dynamic to the mix.

We are excited to welcome him onto team, and watch him develop

Junior Instructor

Harry McPhail

Harry started his journey with us many years ago, by being part of a volunteer team on Adventure Academy.

He then devoted some of his gap year to supporting our other projects, before going away to Uni.

Harry now joins us full time, to develop his passion for the outdoors.

Junior Instructor

Julie Ryder

Julie is a very experienced freelance Instructor.

She is quite happy on the water, around a climbing wall or up a mountain - but she particularly thrives when on forest adventures

Freelance Instructor

Mike Ryder

Mike is an extremely well qualified instructor who specialises in watersports. He not only works with our children and young people, but is also a recognised coach - teaching other instructors. As well as his love for all things aquatic, he loves our small group mentoring sessions.