Our team

Neil has over twenty years of experience working with young people, with 15 of those as a teacher and Assistant Headteacher in secondary schools. 

He gave up his career to set up Urban Pursuit in 2011 and loves to see the change in young people’s lives year on year.  Neil has a strong passion for adrenaline and adventure activities. He is a qualified Mountain Leader, Climbing Instructor and Mountain Bike Leader and also loves snowboarding, BMX, and off-road driving.

Emma has worked within schools and youth work settings for almost 20 years. She is passionate about seeing young people finding hope and a future.

Emma has had various roles at Urban Pursuit but is currently enjoying supporting staff in their wellbeing and development, alongside building strong relationships with our partnership schools.

Dan is a qualified teacher, beginning his career working in mainstream schools.  He switched to the youth work sector and has since worked in various formal and informal settings.

Dan oversees the development of several of the ‘big picture’ elements of our organisation and loves to see things grow.  Dan likes to keep a positive mindset and throws himself into whatever’s in front of him.

Ellie joined us in 2019 in an ever-growing role helping the smooth-running of the organisation.  

Ellie has a background in social work and seems to be able to handle everything that’s thrown at her and more.  She notices the details, makes sure everyone’s included and is generally great to have around.

Liz ensures the smooth and efficient operation of all our Facilities and Office. She brings with her a wealth of experience in social work, having spent several years working on various community-focused initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable individuals. Her strong organisational skills and her dedication to helping others make her a perfect fit to our team.

Outside of work, Liz is passionate about nature and outdoor activities. She enjoys exploring the countryside through long walks, camping along scenic and windswept coastal paths, and tending to her allotment, where she finds satisfaction in managing her garden and battling the ever-persistent weeds!

Anna capably ran the Education Programme for 6 years and was a key part of the team through a time of significant growth. After having her son in May last year, Anna has recently rejoined the team in a new role which allows her to balance her passions at work as well as the joys of motherhood. Her role now focusses around the admissions process – supporting the smooth transition of new students onto the programme, through communication with schools, parents and support of the young people.

Anna is a qualified teacher with extensive experience working with vulnerable young people, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She is a keen climber and can often be found at one of the climbing walls around Bristol developing her skills.

Aaron has a degree in youth work and over a decade’s experience working with youth in different settings. 

He grew up next to the sea and began surfing, then skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding… anything with a board!  He recently upgraded to a one wheeled electric skateboard which you might spot him riding around town on.

Dan has previously lived in New Zealand, working as a Bungy Master and spending his spare time surfing, kayaking and snow boarding. 

Since being back in the UK, Dan initially supported young people to deal with living with mental health issues.  He now diligently oversees our resources and practical training, ensuring the success of our logistical operations.  Dan is also a fitness fanatic and qualified Personal Trainer.

James worked in psychology research before moving into education and youth work over 6 years ago.

James is also a bike mechanic and has previously created further education programmes employing bike mechanic tuition to engage young people. He also takes part in a range of outdoor activities, including climbing, hiking, skateboarding, and anything to do with bikes!

Oceanne is a youth worker at Urban Pursuit who brings her creativity and energy to both the frontline and the design and marketing team. With a background in design, she’s passionate about using her skills to communicate the spirit of Urban Pursuit and support young people on their journey of self-discovery.

Oceanne brings a sense of adventure, creativity, and playful curiosity to her work, encouraging young people to realise and reach their full potential. When she’s not working, you’ll most likely find her in the sea surfing, on the dance floor, in a tree, or up a mountain!

Since his degree in Outdoor Education, Tom has worked with young people in a range of settings: from residential schools, to the play sector, to pastoral work in schools.  His continued training focusses on his interest of the therapeutic potential of nature.

Tom is passionate about the capacity for experiences in the outdoors to add meaning and connection to people’s lives. Tom loves adventures in nature be it by foot, bike or canoe. The first outdoor activity that really captured him was climbing, particularly bouldering.  When he is not outside, Tom tends to be writing about it, as a locally published poet.

As a qualified teacher, experienced sport and football coach, Joe is a firm believer in the positive effects of exercise for young people. He was a full time teacher at Bristol City Robins Foundation, qualifying to become a UEFA-B football coach.

Joe coached at a premier football academy in Malawi and started a journey into youth work after returning to England, before changing tack and becoming a builder.  Now back working with young people at Urban Pursuit, he has a passion for investing in and inspiring the next generation of young people in and around Bristol.

With over a decade of experience in childcare across diverse settings, Owen brings his natural creativity, sense of humour, and an engaging presence to help children feel at ease, enjoy their childhood, and embrace each day.

He values people for who they are, celebrating their personalities and helping them see the positive side of life. Owen believes in the benefits of engaging with local surroundings, from exploring the woods and visiting the beach to cycling around the city, fostering a sense of connection with nature and the community for people of all backgrounds.

David holds a degree in Youth and Community Work and Applied Theology with many years working with young people from all sorts of backgrounds and life experiences.

David loves to see young people’s confidence thrive and anxieties fade away as they adventure through the natural environment.  There is nothing he likes more than a day spent with the wind in his hair, canoeing or sailing or camping – perhaps with his dog or one of his three children

Soph is the one who keeps the finances in check at Urban Pursuit.

It may take you a while to get to grips with her strong welsh accent and fast paced chatter, but Soph is great to have around.  She is often found cycling around the Gower peninsula, being walked by her golden retriever, or on her local beach digging to Australia with her son!

Tim has been with Urban Pursuit since October 2016.  He is a trained teacher and brings a huge amount of energy and expertise to the team, having worked in youth work since around 2008.

Tim spent 8 years living in Uganda where he developed a youth sports club.  He also managed a local youth football team that went on to play in the national league!

Jamal has worked with young people in various contexts, from boarding schools to creative colleges.

In his spare time Jamal tends to focuses his energy on music production, working on different projects for release over the next year or two.  Jamal says, “I’ve found great pleasure in helping students achieve their potential across all areas of their lives.  It’s great to be able to get outdoors with Urban Pursuit whilst I spend a lot of my other time glued to my studio indoors!”

Hamish is inspired by the power of experiences with the body and with nature to change people for the better; he looks to combine these tools as a youth worker at Urban Pursuit.

Hamish started climbing at just about the same time he started walking.  Since then, this passion has directed much of his life course, leading him to compete for Team GB.  He now publishes a climbing magazine (Spotter) and loves the serenity and calm of remote outdoor places.

Caroline has spent over a decade dedicated to empowering young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to shape their own futures.

She strives to create an inspiring environment that supports young people’s growth, addressing their emotional, psychological, and practical needs. Caroline’s passion for youth work is rooted in her personal experience supporting her own son through academic challenges and witnessing the positive impact of external guidance.

In her free time, Caroline enjoys going to music gigs, climbing, dancing, playing guitar, travelling, and finding moments for reflection.

Originally from Somerset, Kip has dedicated the past 20 years to working in dance and theatre.

He brings his experience teaching and engaging young people, using movement and creativity to help them express themselves. With a love for nature, Kip enjoys the mountains, long walks, and cycling. As an adventure worker at Urban Pursuit, he weaves together the wonder of nature and the joy of creativity, inspiring young people along the way.

Emily is a trained mental health nurse with over 12 years of experience across diverse mental health settings.

She has a particular interest in neurodivergence, recognising the challenges young people face in education without adequate support and adaptations. Emily values the benefits of nature and alternative learning methods, seeing how the freedom of being outdoors can positively impact young people. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog, Yoshi, and tending to her garden plants.

Daniel holds a degree in Music Technology and is currently pursuing a qualification in Music Therapy at the University of the West of England.

With several years of experience in diverse care settings, including supporting individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and those facing mental health challenges, Daniel brings a compassionate and well-rounded perspective to Urban Pursuit. He is excited to be part of a team dedicated to positively impacting young peoples lives, aiming to foster healthy relationships through engaging activities and empower youth to carry these positive connections into all areas of their lives.

Martha’s passion for person-centred education began during her studies in Environmental Social Science at university.

Observing the limitations of traditional academic environments, she recognised the value of nature connection and physical activity in empowering young people. With two years of experience in community development as a facilitator and educator, Martha enjoys hiking, biking, and wild swimming, and is currently training to become a conflict mediator.

As a qualified Occupational Therapist, Hannah has over a decade of experience in supporting people to overcome limitations and live life to the fullest.

She’s always been an outdoor enthusiast and in recent years been loving board sports with surfing, surfskating and snowboarding being her favourite ways to enjoy time in nature.
Having always had a spark for supporting the younger population in her home town of Bristol, she’s stoked to be putting her passions together by being part of our team.

Ella is a zoologist by background with a deep love for all things nature. She spent several years leading teams of young adults around the world in voluntary work, and her primary interests lie in people, relationships, and holistic wellbeing.

These experiences have shaped her passion for working with young people, where she brings together her love of connection, adventure, and growth. Ella enjoys public speaking, wild swimming, and immersing herself in the world of The Lord of the Rings. Her perfect day would involve at least eight cups of tea!