Since leaving Michael Hall in 2008, I’ve studied and worked in Edinburgh, Canada, South Korea, and London, working at film festivals, teaching English, and ultimately finding my place in the charity sector. I loved the adventure of living in different cultures, but when I had children, I wanted them to grow up surrounded by trees and fields. 

Then I saw a fundraising job at the charity London Youth but based in Forest Row. Forest Row?! It seemed like fate. 

I’m now the fundraiser at Hindleap Warren – a London Youth outdoor centre, not far south from the Valley Field if you walked through the forest. Every year 8,000 young people of all abilities come to Hindleap for adventure and outdoor learning. 

It’s a joy to see young people (particularly those from urban areas, and those with additional needs) discovering a love of nature… and mud! They build shelters, zip wire through the trees, tackle high ropes courses, and have campfires under the stars. 

I feel lucky to have gone to a school with so much green space to explore. Most young people don’t have that, and trips away from home are out of reach for many families. Last year I set up something called the Kids’ Fund at Hindleap, helping schools from deprived areas afford residential stays here. It’s been wonderful to talk to teachers and young people who have benefited. 

My focus this year is a major renovation project to give half a million young people transformational experiences in the outdoors over the next 50 years. To achieve this, I’m looking for people to join a temporary Fundraising Development Board. 

Hindleap is old and tired, and the accommodation is no longer fit for purpose. We have a £2.8m plan to transform the centre and continue inspiring young people through outdoor adventure. 

Board members would be passionate about helping young people thrive and willing to use their contacts and influence to help secure funding for the project. 

If you’re interested, or would simply like to learn more, I’d love to hear from you. It would be fantastic to have an old scholar (or two!) involved, and I’d love the chance to work together to make this vision for young people a reality. 

[email protected] 
www.hindleapwarren.org