Staff Profiles, Job Satisfaction and Confidence, Outdoor Adventure Qualifications
Stu Brady - Centre Manager
Stu started at Robinwood in May 1999 and is now 30 years old.
Before Robinwood
I was a life guard and then went to work at another activity centre, before starting work at Robinwood. When I started at Robinwood in May I thought I would stay until November and then go travelling. I enjoyed Robinwood so much that I returned after travelling in the New Year and have stayed ever since.
My job at Robinwood
As centre manager I make sure that everything runs smoothly, safely and on time. I watch our excellent instructor staff team and help them improve. I listen to staff ideas about how to improve the centre and decide together with the staff, which ones to do. I train and select new staff, make sure we are not spending too much money and if there’s time left send some e-mails. I fix toilets, arrange better seating for the staff houses, eat dinner with the teachers and have fun.
It is nice seeing both staff and children change and develop over their time here, whether it is children on a 3 day course getting over their fear of heights and piranhas or seeing a person come to work for us, developing new skills in the outdoors, taking charge of groups and in life in general.
What have I gained?
I have gained real confidence in my ability to work with teams of staff, kids or teachers. In my time here I have also gained a beautiful wife, 3 fantastic kids, a mortgage, an allotment and a car. My children like to feed the piranhas at Robinwood and my eldest child, Jacob, can do a good impression of Martin the boss. I am a better more rounded person thanks to working here. I am also now very good at complaining when I am being served at other places that don’t live up to the standards set at Robinwood.
Training provided / qualifications gained since starting work at Robinwood include:
GNAS archery leader, BTF trampolining coach, BOF orienteering, First aid at work, First Aid Trainers Course, BCU 2 star kayak, BCU 2 star canoe, BCU canoe safety test, SPA climbing assessment, Mountain Leader training, RYA helmsman certificate, NVQ level 2 in activity leadership, staff appraisal course, MIDAS minibus driving, PCV Driving Licence, Open University – Managing People course
What visiting schools say about Stu
- Always reassured those worried, including myself. Clear instructions - cheerful & friendly. Outstanding.
- Best yet. Excellent leader, full of encouragement and enthusiasm. The children adored him.
- Stu ran the course to maximise pupil enjoyment. Very professional and approachable.
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Anna Rogers - Assistant Manager
Anna started at Robinwood in September 2001 and is now 26 years old.
Before Robinwood
I was a student at Hull University studying environmental biology and doing lots of canoeing.
My job at Robinwood
No two days are the same! I do a bit of everything – instructing children, training staff, driving minibuses, selection days for new staff…. The atmosphere at Robinwood is great. I arrived with no qualifications but have had lots of opportunities and gained both qualifications and experience, leading to my current job as Assistant Manager, where I have great opportunities to help staff develop.
What have I gained?
An increased awareness of the value of outdoor activities for developing children’s self-confidence, and greater confidence in my own abilities to manage staff and help children achieve.
Training provided / qualifications gained since starting work at Robinwood include:
BCU Level 2 Canoe Coach assessment, BCU Level 2 Kayak Coach assessment, PCV minibus driving license, First Aid at Work trainer / assessor, GNAS archery leader, BCU 3 star canoe, BCU canoe safety test, SPA climbing training, ML summer assessment, two Open University management modules.
What visiting schools say about Anna
- Friendly, amenable, nothing too much trouble.
- Anna ensured that our stay ran perfectly. She was so accommodating and had children's best interests at heart. I don't think we could have had a better course leader.
- Her dedication, enthusiasm and commitment was fantastic and made the Robinwood experience so memorable for children and staff.
Alice Cowdell - Group Leader
Alice started at Robinwood in February 2003 and is now 26 years old.
Before Robinwood
I was studying P.E. and Sports Science at Loughborough University. I came for a selection day during my final year and joined the Robinwood staff team after my graduation.
My job at Robinwood
As a group leader and instructor at Robinwood my days at work range from working with a group of children throughout their 3 day course, to specialist instructor days leading canoeing, climbing or stream walk sessions. This is mixed in with the occasional night duty shift, enabling Robinwood to offer 24 hour supervision of groups, and a range of site work tasks.
I work with a great team of staff, in an enjoyable job where I get to develop kids confidence and teamwork in a memorable experience for them. Robinwood looks after its staff team, whether it be through the bonus incentive scheme, qualifications offered or even just a good night out on the company Being a small company its more friendly than others so you feel your voice can be heard and its constantly evolving, striving for improvement, so it’s never dull.
What have I gained?
The best gain I’ve had since starting at Robinwood is a new network of friends. Existing staff and old staff I have kept in touch with and meet up with for climbing trips, canoeing trips and weddings!
Unlike other centres I have worked at, at Robinwood it is possible to have a life outside the job with at least two days off each week, with the timetable provided well in advance.
Training provided / qualifications gained since starting work at Robinwood include:
GNAS archery leader, First aid at work, BCU 2 star kayak, BCU 4 star canoe, BCU canoe safety test, Level 3 Canoe Coach training, SPA climbing training, Mountain Leader training, MIDAS minibus driving.
What visiting schools say about Alice
- Alice gave the group confidence with her energy and reassurance. She encouraged the children to work in their "stretch zone" and to be adventurous.
- Very thorough with safety and keen to ensure the children were happy and achieved the challenges. Bradley said " Alice is the best grown up I have met."
- Excellent knowledge, sense of humour, care & empathy which combined to make each child feel special!
Ashleigh Seymour - Deputy Manager
Ashleigh started at Robinwood in September 2003 and is now 24 years old.
Before Robinwood
I studies sports science at University then I worked as a swimming teacher and lifeguard for a year.
My job at Robinwood
In my role developing the centre and the staff team, I get involved in a wide range of things from staff training and development to buying new activity equipment. I also get to lead some sessions with the children. I love the daily challenges of working with children and giving them the opportunities to try new things and develop themselves. I also really enjoy working with the staff team we have at the centre.
What have I gained?
I’ve gained a good understanding of children and become tuned into their needs and issues. I have also gained management experience and experiences of promotion interviews!
Training provided / qualifications gained since starting work at Robinwood include:
GNAS archery leader, Outdoor First aid, BCU 4 star canoe, BCU canoe safety test, BCU Level 3 Canoe Coach training, SPA climbing training, Walking Group Leader training, ML training, two Open University management modules.
What visiting schools say about Ashleigh
- Extremely helpful right from the moment we arrived. She made it clear that she was available at anytime to discuss problems etc. Excellent.
- Excellent! Really kept us informed, very helpful, looked after the staff as much as the children.
Bryan Main - Group Leader
Bryan started at Robinwood in January 2005 and is now 21 years old.
Before Robinwood
I worked in a variety of different jobs including at outdoor centres, in supermarkets and as a raft guide and ski instructor. I have competed for Scotland in the Home Internationals in surf kayaking and am just about to attempt my first skydive!
My job at Robinwood
I do three day group leads, bedtime and wake-up duties, night duties and other site work around the centre. I also lead climbing, canoeing and stream walk sessions. I enjoy working with a group for every activity over three days as well as running all the different sessions.
What have I gained?
I have gained a lot of new friends at Robinwood as there is a great team of very upbeat people here. I have also learnt a lot more about working with children in the 8-11 year old age range as in previous jobs the age and background of the groups were always changing.
Training provided / qualifications gained since starting work at Robinwood include:
Level 2 Canoe Coach training, SPA climbing training.
What visiting schools say about Bryan
- Brilliant - always encouraging the children without applying pressure. Very knowledgeable on all aspects and provided the children with fantastic guidance.
- Bryan encouraged the less able children to try new activities. Calm and very approachable manner. Good rapport with children.
- Bryan had a lovely relaxed attitude which in turn had a calming effect on the children. It was quite obvious Bryan enjoyed all that he did including showing the staff how to back-flip.
Merlyn Farmer - Course Leader
Merlyn started at Robinwood in May 2005 and is now 24 years old.
Before Robinwood
After leaving university I was working in a bar in Brighton. I had decided I didn’t want a career that had anything to do with my university course and wanted a job that was enjoyable and fulfilling. I’m personally interested in bushcraft and survival and hope to spend my winter break adventuring in South America.
My job at Robinwood
As a course leader I co-ordinate a school’s time at Robinwood, helping group leaders, encouraging the kids and ensuring the teachers are fully satisfied with all aspects of their trip.
What more could you ask for in a job. I’m being paid to have fun working with like-minded friends. There is plenty of time off and always exciting things to fill those days with. The job is immensely satisfying. The kids always enjoy themselves and you can see a really positive effect on their interpersonal and social development.
What have I gained
I came with few qualifications and limited experience. I have now been working for over a year with kids in a top quality organisation which is held in high regard in both the educational and activity sector. To top it off I have been able to take part in a wide range of training, with a great training support network and more qualifications are on the way soon. Robinwood are keen to utilise people’s skills and encourage interests which is passed on as a direct benefit to kids.
Training provided / qualifications gained since starting work at Robinwood include:
GNAS archery leader, Outdoor first aid, BCU 3 star canoe, BCU canoe safety test, Level 2 Canoe Coach assessment, SPA climbing training, Walking Group Leader training
What visiting schools say about Merlyn
- The children showed great interest in everything Merlyn had to say about survival. He was caring and encouraging.
- Fantastic - all pupils loved him. Firm and fair - picked up on behaviour of pupils. Good fun and keen to check we were all happy. Very hands on and available to speak to. Thanks!
- Children loved Merlyn and responded well to his encouragement and instructions. We all found him very approachable.
The children grew very attached to their group leaders over the 3 days and whilst each was obviously very individual, all were great!
Hartburn Primary School, Stockton on Tees
