Jeff Seneviratne
Chair of Trustees
Born in Leeds, I have lived in Manchester since 1973, working as a Clinical Scientist in the NHS. I joined Friends of Ghyll Head (FoGH) in 1996 shortly after it was formed. I was elected as a Trustee in 1998 and became the charity’s representative to the Ghyll Head Management Committee which reported to the Chief Education Officer. I was chair of Friends of Ghyll Head from 2000 to 2013.
After FoGH became the Manchester Outdoor Education Trust (MOET) I remained a trustee and became co-chair again in 2018. I have continued as chair from 2021, and I am the MOET representative on Manchester City Council’s Ghyll Head Strategic Advisory Board.
I have had a longstanding interest in adventurous hill walking and my first visit to Ghyll Head with a Woodcraft Folk group introduced me to the value and importance of outdoor education. Thus, I have had this long-term commitment to the preservation of Ghyll Head and championing of outdoor education.
The renewed success of MOET in influencing this work is very satisfying and I can now see that it is vitally important that the charity continues into a new phase of work.
Elaine Morrison
Secretary
I trained as a Teacher and Youth Worker and have spent my whole working life either paid or unpaid working with children and young people which helped to develop my passion for outdoor education and outdoor activities.
I moved to Manchester 35 years ago and worked in the voluntary and health sectors before moving to the City Council where I held several Senior posts in the Education Team of Children Services. In 2014 when I was the Head of Youth Strategy I supported the setting up of Manchester Outdoor Education Trust because I firmly believe and have seen first-hand the positive benefits that children and young people can gain by exploring and enjoying the great outdoors both in their city and beyond. I retired in 2022 and became a Trustee for MOET in 2023.
Roger Hennell
Treasurer and Membership Secretary
I was brought up in Manchester and have worked here as a Quantity Surveyor since 1980. I took Parrswood Woodcraft Groups to Ghyll Head for weekend trips on several occasions. I joined Friends of Ghyll Head (FoGH) in 2001. I was elected as a Trustee in 2002. I was Treasurer of Friends of Ghyll Head from 2005 to 2013.
After FoGH became the Manchester Outdoor Education Trust (MOET) I remained a trustee and Treasurer. I am now also the Membership Secretary. I have taken part in many of the hill walking challenges for FoGH and two sponsored cycle rides from Manchester to Ghyll Head.
I am excited how MOET has been rejuvenated over the last couple of years and the membership is growing with younger active interest.
Owen Cooper
I came to Manchester in 1973 as a student and haven’t left, although I did spend 5 years in USA in my twenties. I was a youth worker in my 20’s and regularly took groups away for residential outdoor education weeks. I gained the Introductory Mountain Leadership Certificate during this time. In my 30’s I moved to Social Services and continued there until I retired.
Since retiring I’ve climbed 202 of the 214 Wainwrights, and my proudest outdoors achievement was walking rim to rim of the Grand Canyon in 2015. I’m also a very keen cyclist, and have cycle toured many times in the UK, and several times abroad.
I became involved in the Friends of Ghyll Head in the late 90’s as a result of taking Woodcraft Groups up to Ghyll Head for weekends. I was secretary of FoGH for a few years and then became chair of MOET from 2013- 2018, co-chair from 2018 -2021, but stepped down as co-chair due to a prolonged illness, returning as trustee in 2023.
I’m married with 2 adult children, who’ve both visited Ghyll Head on several occasions, as well as Debdale, the Water Adventure Centre, and other outdoor facilities in Manchester.
Sue Samuel
I have been a member of MOET since it was formed. Before that I was a member of the Ghyll Head committee for many years.
I taught in Manchester for many years as a special needs teacher and as a school sports coordinator in the North of Manchester.
Steve Connor
I worked for the Manchester Evening News and Guardian and part time for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and ended my career working in a Pupil Referral Unit until retirement in 2011.
I am a keen advocate of outdoor education and first encountered Ghyll Head at its inception in the late 1960’s. I immediately saw something special and exceptional both for young people and adults wishing to develop their skills for the outdoors. It was equally important to also make this affordable at the same time.
I have seen first hand the pleasure and self-esteem it has given people over the years and keen for that to continue. Hence my continued support since becoming a trustee and member of MOET.
Sean McHale
I was born and raised in Manchester and grew up on the streets of Ancoats. From an early age I travelled and lived in many different places including 13 months living on the Gaza strip. I believe travelling, meeting new people and learning about different cultures was the best education a young person could have.
After returning home at 25 years old I decided I wanted to be a youth worker, I volunteered at St.Annes Ancoats, running after schools clubs and at the Ardwick Lads Youth Centre every evening. I quickly discovered I was very good at getting through to young people displaying challenging behaviours and in 1999 set up my own Alternative Education Provision for young people aged 14-16 years excluded or facing exclusion from mainstream education. In 2002 my model of A.P. was adopted by Manchester PRU and I continued to manage the provision until 2019. The focus of my PRU was outdoor education and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
I also ran East Manchester Youth Service for several years until its demise in 2011, along side working to achieve a Degree in Youth and Community Work. I sat on the GMP Ethics Committee from 2012-2017 scrutinising policing and young people.
I have been a Youth & Community Worker and managed Alternative Education Provision for almost 30 years, over the years I have taken thousands of Manchester young people on residential to Ghyll Head and expeditions for D of E all over the countryside. I believe young people learn far more in one week outside than they can in the classroom all year. I currently run the Ardwick Lads Boxing Club in East Manchester, I am Councillor for Clayton and Openshaw Ward and I am an Operational Manager for Navigators Alternative Provision. I am also a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme Leader and Assessor.
Hannah Vecchione
I have taught for over 30 years across 4 key stages in schools across the City of Manchester. In every school I have been Physical Education Subject Leader. I am now an Assistant Headteacher and SENDCo at St John’s Primary School. After achieving Advanced Skills Teacher status in 2009 and Lead Practitioner status, my key focus has been on Physical Education.
For over twenty years I have been a member of the Manchester tutor team for Physical Education. I am now the Strategic Director of Physical Education Professional Learning for Manchester PE Teacher Training (MPETT) and a member of the North Western Counties PE Association (NWCPEA) executive committee. I am responsible for delivering my school’s extensive Physical Education and sport offer, ensuring all children are engaged in school life to the full. This involves the inclusion of SEND pupils with a range of needs in a mainstream setting.
I am a passionate supporter of outdoor learning and regularly organise residentials to Ghyll Head. I am committed to giving all children the opportunities to thrive in all areas of their life through the power of physical activity and I am pleased that I have been able to work with MOET to develop more opportunities for the young people of Manchester.
Gill Leng
Greater Manchester based, I’ve had local and national roles and held Trustee positions, in homes, health, and wellbeing for over 25 years. Working with people and communities to achieve equity and inclusion, I’ve also volunteered for outdoor and young peoples’ organisations.
Outdoor education in my teens shaped my life for the better and I’d like others’ to have the same opportunities. I’ve gained paddle sport and cycling instructor qualifications and continue to explore and acquire new outdoor skills.
I believe access to quality outdoor education has a significant role to play in improving quality of life for Manchester’s young people, and I’m excited to share my knowledge, ideas and experience in health and wellbeing to MOET’s role in making this a reality.
Claire Redrobe
I am a deputy headteacher at Ashgate Specialist Support School, a primary specialist provision for children in Wythenshawe and South Manchester aged 4-11. I have worked here for 15 years and for most of that time have been responsible for organising our Y6 residential to Ghyll Head and the occasional staff trip driven by my own love of outdoor activity.
The Ghyll Head experience is a hugely important one both for our children and the parents/carers as it opens up an incredible window of opportunity for adventurous activity, independence and the development of potential hobbies and interests going into teenage/adult life. It is this that has really driven my commitment to ensure that all children at Ashgate have the opportunity to get to Ghyll Head. It has also developed my interest in getting involved with MOET so that all Manchester children and young people benefit from these experiences.
I have taken part in recent MOET events including the Ghyll Head challenge and the Dragon Boat race which has led me to become a fully-fledged Dragoneer! I’m excited to become more involved as a trustee.
Sarah Clarke
I am a PE Teacher and Sports coach and have spent my whole working life either paid or unpaid working with children and young people. I love to share my passion for outdoor education and outdoor activities.
I have now been teaching in Manchester for 20 years this year ago and worked on regional and national sports committees for my sport of Artistic Swimming, promoting the sport, organising events and training new workforce. As a PE Teacher I have embedded Outdoor Education into our school curriculum including climbing, team building, orienteering and cycling. I also organise our Duke of Edinburgh program, where we offer the Bronze award to all year 10s and Silver and Gold in our Sixth form. I love to see the joy, resilience and confidence that young people get for Outdoor activities.
I love to relax walking or doing water sports in my own time – especially paddle boarding now! I continue to work as a PE teacher in a Manchester Secondary School and pleased to become a Trustee for MOET in 2024.