Richard Matthews

As an adventurer and explorer, Richard has walked the 600km Slovenia Mountain Trail, solo, driven to Mongolia and back as part of the Mongol Rally, completed the Arctic Survival Challenge in Sweden and circumnavigated the world in a Nissan Micra!

He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a qualified Mountain Leader and has led groups on the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Ten Tors and on international expeditions around the world.

Closer to home in Devon, Richard organises the Dartmoor Outdoor Festival and has climbed the mountain peaks of the UK.

Richard is a mental health advocate and through personal experience, understands how time spent in the outdoors in nature and adventure can have a positive effect on our mental state.

I very much agree with the ethos of Adventure Therapy and particularly surrounding mental health, which I am incredibly passionate about, and the difference that outdoor activities can make in improving emotional wellbeing. I am pleased to become an Ambassador for the charity and raise awareness of such an important cause through my own experiences, both personally and professionally.

Richard Matthews, speaking to Rob Emery, our Founder and Chief Executive.

Penny Weekes

As an Independent Occupational Therapist (retired), Penny worked in South Devon for many years, in the field of Neuro Rehabilitation, alongside children and adults who had sustained an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

Having setup the charity Challenge Ahead, which comprised of group activities to enable children and young people with ABI to enjoy social and physical activities, Penny enables its work to continue through Adventure Therapy.

What better environment is there for promoting confidence and independence than through the pleasure and challenge of outdoor adventure and activities.

I am keen to see the often negative narrative around disability challenged through positive outcomes and witness the strengths and the capacity for development seen in an individual who is given the opportunity to take part. I am happy to volunteer my time to Adventure Therapy as an advocate for its aims, raising awareness of the charity and its proactive approach in outdoor adventure.

Penny volunteers as an Ambassador for Adventure Therapy, raising awareness of our work and championing our cause through public speaking, community events and assisting at activities. 

Do you have a passion for adventure? Have you been able to fulfill your love of the outdoors, professionally? You may not be an adventurer but have personal experience and belief in the positive impact that time spent in nature brings to mental health or family life.

If you share our vision and would like to get involved, we would love the opportunity to talk it through, without any obligation.

Adventure Therapy supports children, young people and adults with mental health conditions, neurodevelopmental disorders, physical disability, life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses and life changing conditions; you could inspire, motivate and help raise awareness of our cause. You could change lives through adventure.

If you are interested in becoming a Patron or Ambassador of Adventure Therapy, please complete our contact form or get in touch with Rob Emery, our Founder and Chief Executive, at rob.emery@adventuretherapy.org.uk.

Thank you for your interest in our belief that everyone should have the opportunity to explore, discover and challenge themselves.