Wendy is the spark that started all of this — quite literally.
It was Wendy who kept wandering along the Regent’s Canal, staring at the Jonge Jan like it was a sleeping giant waiting to be woken up. Every time she passed it, she’d say to Mark,
We should buy that for our guys.
And every time, Mark would reply with the responsible adult voice:
Wen, we’ve got too much on — we’re still setting up FPH!
But Wendy has that rare quality: a mix of vision, instinct, courage and just enough mischief to make the impossible feel obvious. She sees potential everywhere — in people, in places, and in old boats that haven’t moved in four years.
It was her determination (and her refusal to ignore the universe tapping her on the shoulder) that led to The Hideout Collective becoming reality.
Wendy leads with heart, humour, and a deep belief that everyone deserves a fresh start — and she’s building a future where those fresh starts actually happen.
Pet Hates:
- People who say, “Are you sure this is a good idea?” (She was sure two ideas ago.)
- Emails that start with “circling back…”
- Anyone touching her tools and returning them in a “creative” order
- Mark pretending he doesn’t know where something is (it’s behind him 98% of the time)
- Bad vibes, flaky paint, and meetings that should’ve been a text
Things That Make Her Smile:
- Spotting potential in an abandoned object… or human… or boat
- A cup of tea made properly, not “held near the kettle”
- Seeing the crews finding their feet, then running
- A straight answer from anyone
- Mark agreeing to another ridiculous idea
Hopes & Ambitions:
- To turn every forgotten space along the canal into something outrageous and brilliant
- To get a fleet of Hideout boats, cabins, and treehouses before anyone notices the madness
- To prove that kindness, mischief and stubbornness can change lives
- To one day walk past a barge without wanting to buy it (unlikely)