Pete Crane
I have been the manager of the Joseph Trust since January 2021, before this I qualified as a PE teacher and had pastoral and departmental leadership roles in secondary schools in London and York.
I enjoy supporting young people and finding out more about what interests them and how I can help them have a hope for the future. I like being outside and adapting to the different needs the young people have.
The day might start with riding on pedal go karts but by the end of the day we could have a race track and time trials! I believe every young person has a great imagination and they just need the space and opportunity to develop this.
Sophie Biggs-Fox
Previously I have worked in Youth Work providing DJ and music sessions, crafting, drug and alcohol awareness and sexual health sessions. I have also supported learners who have an EHCP or had been permanently excluded from mainstream as a TA, as well as being a Mentor.
I decided to undertake Forest school leader training after seeing the positive impact it had on my own children, it was during this time that I realised that outdoor education was the area I wanted to work in, whilst supporting those with neuro divergence and those who do not fit the mainstream model.
I struggled with mainstream myself, being someone who likes hands on practical and physical work. Supporting young people is super rewarding, especially in an environment like the Joseph
Trust when you can see the positive impact the outdoors and the different activities we have available can have. We get to see young people flourish learning new skills from riding a bike for the first time to building bikes, learning to canoe, light fires, forage, cook and build lasting friendships. Seeing the resilience our learners have embracing the cold icy weather to the humid heatwaves and working through things they find difficult navigating ways to achieve their goals is what makes my role at the Joseph Trust fulfilling.
Steve Windass
I started volunteering at the farm with the Joseph Trust in 2007 after returning to the UK. Before this I lived and worked in Albania for 3 years. In Albania, I supported a Christian charity involved with youth and children's work and outdoor activities. In 2008, I became part of the Joseph Trust staff team.
As part of my work, I provide canoeing sessions on the Pocklington canal. I have been a qualified canoe coach for over 20 years.
Sam Binnington
I have experience working within SEND schools, supporting young people with special educational needs and social, emotional and mental health challenges. I have also worked as a Social Prescriber, helping young people make positive changes to improve their overall wellbeing.
I believe the outdoors provides a unique environment where young people can explore, build confidence, develop practical skills and feel comfortable being themselves. I am passionate about creating safe, nurturing opportunities that help young people manage emotions and behaviours, develop resilience and recognise their own strengths.
I am caring, patient and approachable, and believe every young person deserves the time, space and encouragement to succeed in their own way. Through alternative provision, I aim to build trusting relationships and create positive experiences that young people can carry into everyday life.
I also have a real passion for cooking and baking, particularly creating something to enjoy and share. I love passing these skills on to young people, helping them develop confidence, independence and valuable life skills while building relationships through cooking together.