Finn has served as Chair of Trustees for five years and was a founding member of EdenVentures when it was born 10 years ago. Before that Finn was a Trustee of Eden Community Outdoors who ran the Summer Weeks project before EdenVentures and has worked or volunteered on the project for over 15 years. Finn was a Summer Weeks child meaning the project has been part of his life for the last 25 years. 

Alongside his work with EdenVentures, Finn is also Chair of Trustees for another children's charity and manages a chain of community charity shops across Cumbria. When Finn isn't focused on his third sector work he can usually be found in his kitchen, listening to live music or working on textiles sustainability projects.

Sue Ryding has been Trustee and Treasurer of EdenVentures for three years. She is also our Designated Safeguarding Lead. Sue was a volunteer with Eden Community Outdoors over 25 years ago, then brought her children along to EdenVentures and was persuaded to get involved again (she didn't take much persuading!).

Sue has worked in education for many years, as education officer onboard MV Ocean Defender, as a field studies tutor on the shores of the Isle of Arran and Devon and as a teacher trainer in Namibia. Sue now teaches biology in a local secondary school but sneaks outside whenever there's a chance.

Denise is the elder in the group, and has been a trustee of Eden Ventures since it's inception more than 10 years ago after being a trustee of Eden Community Outdoors, before that.

She started volunteering after her son became a participant over 20 years ago, he continued as a volunteer and worker. After being a participant his daughter is now a teen volunteer.

Denise was invited to run pottery and Raku as part of summer weeks workshops, which is now in it's 20th year.

Denise is also involved with PERN helping and befriending refugees in Penrith. She helps her potter husband run classes in winter and Raku workshops in the summer. She also enjoys vegan cooking, growing veg and foraging.

James joined the board of trustees in 2025 after previously volunteering at Summer Weeks.

When not working for EV, James can be found dangling from the end of a rope fixing heritage buildings, doing carpentry work or out in the woods and hills of Cumbria climbing, playing and foraging with friends.

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