ABOUT US

We are an Outdoor Activity Specialist creating bespoke outdoor learning experiences for your participants with a focus on your learning outcomes.

We work with co-educational and single gender schools within the state and independent sectors. Our services are also provided to colleges, universities, prep schools, primary schools, youth clubs and individuals.

The team at the Inspired Adventure Centre can advise on all aspects of your next adventure, but we specialise with the planning, organising and delivery of affordable and high quality activities.

Choose from Land or Water based activities for a single session or up to a 5 day residential program

Our staff team have a vast array of experience in the industry such as as DofE Coordinators/Managers in schools, running and working in outdoor centres, military personnel and teachers. We have brought all of these skills together to deliver a high quality service.

The Inspired Adventure Centre is run alongside Operation Encounter Ltd, we provide people of all ages with unique military experiences and activities they’ll remember forever.

Inspiring Learning through Fun & Adventure

Inspiring Team Development Skills Together

Inspiring Excellence in Safety & Service

INSPIRED ADVENTURE CENTRE

Our Site

The Inspired Adventure Centre is based in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, just outside the Chilterns and on the River Thames. We have access to 128 acres, including lakes, woodland, grass land and our own campsite. This makes Inspired Adventure Centre the ideal site to support our DofE expeditions, with access to the Chilterns for walking expeditions and the Rover Thames for our canoeing DofE.

As part of the centre we have male and female toilets and showers and washing up facilities. We have four outdoor classrooms which provide great wet weather activity areas and briefing areas, for larger groups or events we have a 4000sq ft marquee. We believe that an ‘Outdoor Centre’ should be truly outside to give everyone the full outdoor experience, so all our accommodation is camping with a variety of three person tents up to large six metre bell tents.

We have a capacity of 200 people under canvas, our own lake and access to the River Thames. These facilities gives us the capacity to host all of our activities on site whether it be water based, land based or up in the tress on our ropes course.

MEET THE TEAM

Matt is the founder and driving force behind Inspired. After completing his Gold DofE at school he spent the summer in the Lake District as a Freelance Watersports Instructor. Subsequently joining the Royal Navy as an Officer, specialising as a Pilot. Whilst serving in the Royal Navy he gained his JSML (Joint Service Mountain Leader) qualification and lead several trips for the military. Upon leaving the military Matt worked for two FTSE 100 companies as a business development executive and gained his ML (Mountain Leader) Award, this then rolled into joining Thames Valley Police as a part time Police Officer whilst he set up Inspired. Matt has always had a passion for the outdoors, being out on expedition, and setting up Inspired has allowed him to pass on those passions to our participants. Matt is also a DofE Coordinator for two centres. He purchased Henley Canoe Hire in 2015, and married his wonderful fiancee in June 2016. matt@inspiredexpeditions.co.uk

Matthew Couling

Managing Director

Charlie was the first employee of Inspired and has worked alongside Matt for most of his career! His passion for the outdoors started while he was at school doing his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He completed his Bronze, Silver and Gold Award while at school and as soon as he has completed his Gold expedition he wanted to become a DofE Leader. Whilst helping Matt set up and run the company Charlie gained valuable experience and qualifications developing his skills to where he is now. Charlie has completed his ML (Mountain Leader) Training, HML (Hill and Moorland Leader), UKCC Level 1 Coaching Certificate and Off Site Safety & Management Course. He now oversees the planning, organisation and logistics of all the expeditions and residentials that Inspired offer. In his spare time he also builds and races light hovercraft in the UK National Championships. charlie@inspiredexpeditions.co.uk

Charlie Metcalfe

Operations & Logistics Manager

Charlotte is the Office Manager for Inspired Adventure Centre. Her time is spent both in the office, planning and organising expeditions and facilitating activities. She started as a youth worker in London, gaining a degree in youth work, and then moved on to instructing at multi activity outdoor adventure centres for 5 years in Scotland at first and then England. During her career she has gained in house and national qualifications for the activities such as climbing, abseiling, orienteering, bushcraft, high ropes and zip line, night line, team building, archery, hill walking, water sports and fencing to name a few. In her spare time she loves going climbing and skiing when she can.

Charlotte Leadbeater

Office Manager

Rich has been involved in the outdoor industry since leaving school. He spent a winter season gaining his CSIA ski instructor certification and then worked as an activity instructor in Scotland for 5 years gaining his SPA climbing award, UKCC Level 1 in paddle sports (with White Water Safety & Rescue) as well as other in house qualifications. Leaving Scotland he became the Assistant Manager of Cotswold Outdoor in Reading where he developed his passion for outdoor clothing and equipment, as well as training staff in both their knowledge and their customer service skills. After meeting the Inspired team, Rich quickly became a Learning and Adventure Facilitator for them, and now heads up the outdoor learning program for the company. He also loves the forest and is a bit of a crack shot with a throwing axe.

Rich Leadbeater

Outdoor Learning Coordinator

Reece join the Inspired Team in 2015, Reece has demonstrated from day one his passion for the outdoors, leadership skills and outdoor know how. During his time here he has facilitated for clients of all ages and abilities on land and water, on DofE expeditions, outdoor learning sessions and international expeditions. Reece has worked hard to build on his experience by achieving more NGB qualifications such as his British Canoeing Level 2 Coach Award, Open Water Lifeguard, Lowland Leader, WWSR, as well as his NVQ in Activity Leadership. After spending seven months working in the Middle East developing his group management experience along with his personal climbing skills and paddling skills Reece will be returning as our Lead Water Sports Learning & Adventure Facilitator for the 2018 season. reece@inspiredexpeditions.co.uk

Reece Game

Lead Water Sports Learning & Adventure Facilitator

Monty is our trusty Inspired Labradoodle! He loves running, tennis balls and team building! When he is not out and about on Expedition he is either at home or ‘helping out’ in the office. He is the epitome of self sufficiency on a residential with his rucksack carrying all he would ever need (+ a tracker, just in case)!

Monty

Adventure Dog

TESTIMONIALS

“For our Sixth Form Induction Trip, Inspired Expeditions made sure all the pupils had a fantastic time. The team building activities were pitched at exactly the right level and the staff were extremely professional in the way they led the activities. The students got a bit damp, quite rightly, and in terms of value for money and the experience the students had, I don’t think we could have found better.”

Jason Dance, Head of Sixth Form, Co-educational Independent School.

“We had a lovely day and we would definitely love to return. We thought the activities were all well organised and all instructors were very professional.”

Trip Leader, Year 4 Activity Day, Primary School