Episode 22: Ryan Gibson - Climbing Off The Streets

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Ryan lived homeless, on the streets and sofa surfing, around Holyhead from the age of 13. By his own admission, he was a hard child to live with, taking every opportunity to run away and punching holes in walls during his frequent outbursts of anger.

Despite living rough, Ryan continued attending school and an education, mainly so he could have a warm meal and the occasional shower.

His determination to keep going, despite his circumstances, led Ryan to become involved with the Holyhead Opportunities Trust, where he met a support worker who was also a climber. This was a turning point for Ryan as he got into the outdoors from here, with a passion for rock climbing.

Still living rough, Ryan heard about The Outdoor Partnership, who are a charity that supports people to take outdoor activities as a lifelong pursuit and offered him a gateway to employment. Ryan’s determination to overcome his circumstances saw him walking from Holyhead to Bangor to attend his course more than once, but led to both a career in the outdoors and some self realisation.

Ryan now runs his own business providing outdoor activities in North Wales.

This is an inspiring personal account of determination and self realisation, by which Ryan managed to overcome his circumstances and find a future doing what he loves.

Many thanks to Rob Johnson of Film Up High for referring Ryan’s Story to us.

See Rob Johnson Film Up High award-winning Ryan’s Story - https://filmuphigh.com/ryans-story/

Ryan Gibson - https://mountaineeringwales.com/

https://outdoorpartnership.co.uk/

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