Ed Thatcher

Ed has been a youth worker and outdoor instructor since 1999.  He started his career working in creative education and therapeutic arts in post conflict Kosovo. He then combined his love of outdoor activities with his enthusiasm for, experience and skills in youth and community work by becoming a project worker for Endeavour in 2001.  Since that time, he has become qualified to deliver a broad range of outdoor activities, gained a youth work qualification and worked in a multitude of youth work, educational and care settings in both freelancer and employed roles. Passionate about the environment and education, Ed has also worked as a community forester for Sheffield City Council and as a primary teacher. He has also worked as an international tour manager for a number of professional musicians.

In 2018 he re-joined Endeavour as a project coordinator on a heritage skills and outdoor personal development programme. He now works for Endeavour as their Head of Programmes overseeing the delivery of a wide range of short- and medium-term outdoor activity, personal development, employability and youth participation programmes. Dedicated to CPD, he recently obtained a qualification in Children and Young People’s Mental Health and another in Watersports leadership. He is currently working on his caving qualification. He feels caving is a perfect activity for youth development since success depends on commitment far more than on physical strength.

Ed has been working as CEO since March 2022.  He enjoys this role immensely and looks forward to helping Endeavour grow so that it can enrich the lives of even more young people and vulnerable adults.

Ed lives with his partner, two kids and a couple of fancy rats. He is moderately obsessed by rock climbing, which he doesn’t get to do quite as much as he would like!  He remains passionate about youth work and the outdoors and likes to take time out from his more office-based development work to deliver practical session as often as possible!