Ambassadors

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.”

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.