Who are we?
Ben Ward
Growing up Ben lived in a several countries including America, Germany, France, Switzerland before settling in the UK. Ben has always enjoyed studying the different ways which humans inhabit this planet and this led him to study Social Anthropology. With experience as SW Regional Manager for Play England, overseeing rural development projects for the Countryside Agency and working directly with the most vulnerable young people Ben enjoys new challenges and trying out new ideas, is passionate about getting children outdoors and communities active, he also loves playing anything with a bat or ball and of course dancing. Ben is a qualified Zumba Instructor and Yoga Instructor. He is also a qualified Life and Health Coach.
Jane Manning
Passionate about wellbeing, diversity, dance & nutrition, Jane has over 25 years' experience of working actively within communities from inner city Bristol to rural Gloucestershire. She has managed multi agency learning and training programmes up to £1.2 million budgets, overseen the programming of large festivals such as Gloucester's World Together Festival, and chaired her local town summer festival for several years. Jane originally trained as a Secondary School Teacher in Design &Technology and has also taught English in Egypt and Ghana. She has over 25 years dance training experience, enjoying a variety of styles ranging from African and Flamenco, to Charleston and Jive. She is a qualified Fitsteps and Zumba instructor, with an Olders Adults Fitness qualification, and holds a Pilates Mat Work Diploma. Jane also has a diploma in Naturopathy and Advanced Herbal Medicine, a recent Mindfulness Training Qualifications and is currently undertaking an essential oils diploma and Functional Medicine Health Coach training. In January 2020 Jane will be offering NES Health consultations.
Jane co-founded World Jungle in 2006 and over the last 10 years has successfully managed a range of projects working both locally, nationally and internationally. In 2015 she was a finalist in the Gloucestershire Women in Business Award recognising her 'Contribution to the Community'.
Richard Davis
World Jungle was founded in 2006 by Jane Manning and Ben Ward as a not-for-profit company operating predominantly across the South West and Central regions of England We are supported by a team of artists, musicians, playworkers and global educators from around the world who enjoy sharing their skills, ideas and passion with all ages and abilities. Along side our core staff team, we are supported by a fantastic group of volunteers.