Meet the Team: Justin Hooper – Inspiring Confidence in the Outdoors

Welcome to the next instalment of our ‘Meet the Team’ series! This time, we’re introducing Justin, a new freelancer joining Wilderness Expertise.

Tell us a bit about yourself – what are your hobbies and interests?

My main job is as a driving instructor, but I also have a passion for the outdoors. I love hiking and wild camping all over the UK, especially sharing those experiences with people eager to explore the wilderness without the fear of getting lost. I particularly enjoy a good navigation challenge, whether it’s during the day or at night. When I’m not outdoors, I cherish spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren—they definitely keep me young at heart!

What do you love about working in the outdoors?

I love the peace and space that working outdoors provides. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about helping others develop themselves and guiding them to achieve things they never thought possible. It’s rewarding to watch people grow in confidence and resilience through outdoor experiences.

As a newcomer to Wilderness Expertise, what are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

I’m really looking forward to becoming part of the Wilderness Expertise family and supporting young adventurers as they work towards their goals. Helping them develop new skills and confidence in the outdoors is something I’m very excited about. I’m also looking forward to meeting more of the team in the coming weeks.

What advice would you give to any young person who is considering doing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

Never stop trying, no matter how tough it gets. Always take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve already come—you’ll be surprised by how much you’ve accomplished.

We are really excited to have Justin on our freelance team. His passion for the outdoors shines through in everything he does and we know that he will be an inspiration to the young people that he will be working with this year.