A new chief instructor has joined the Lake District Calvert Trust.
Kendal-based Andy Thompson has swapped a southbound motorway commute for a more leisurely northly commute through the glorious Lake District to lead Calvert’s team of highly specialised instructors who help make the Lake District accessible to over 3,000 guests every year.
Andy joins the Lake District Calvert Trust after four years for with Lancashire County Council where he was senior instructor at Borwick Hall and Tower Wood, welcoming primary school age children on residential courses.
Prior to that, he worked for nine years for The Outward Bound Trust in the Ullswater Valley, and also spent time working for Brathay Trust at Windermere as well as working in North Wales at St David’s College.
Andy worked at Underley Gardens School near Kirby Lonsdale, teaching outdoor education to students with complex needs.
He said: “I’ve always admired the work of specialist residential centres like Calvert Lakes. Obviously I’m looking forward to meeting and supporting the thousands of participants who visit every year, but I was also drawn to the opportunity of helping shape and develop the amazing individuals who work in the instructing team.”
Over the past few weeks, Andy has been working closely with outgoing, long standing chief instructor Phil Blair. This thorough induction process has included experiencing all the accessible activities from a participant perspective.
Andy said he was looking forward to building on Phil’s foundations, bringing to bear his experience and skill sets and developing the Calvert activities programme into the future.
Phil joined the trust in April 2012 aged 20 as a trainee instructor. Over the subsequent 12 years, Phil has worked his way through the ranks, finally ascending to the role of chief instructor in January 2022.
He plans to work with different organisations and one of his first assignments is as a freelance instructor at the trust in July.
Chief executive Sean Day said: “We’re blessed on two fronts here: firstly, to have had Phil’s services, expertise and company over the last 12 years and secondly, to have been able to secure such an experienced and capable replacement in the form of Andy.
“I look forward to following how each of them progress in their new roles and wish them both the very best of luck.”
