Who we are
Hack Back – meaning – A gentle or gradual release technique used by falconers to enable a raptor released back into the wild to hunt successfully and thrive on its own.
Hack Back CIC works with a wide range of individuals, all of whom come to us with significant barriers which prevent them from reaching their full potential in life. We help those individuals to overcome their barriers through interaction with a green environment, namely the beautiful British countryside; through interaction with animals, specifically Birds of Prey, and by doing this in combination with Solution Focused Therapy / Coaching. Interaction may be hands-on (experiencing handling the birds) or hands-off (having the opportunity to watch the birds flying and view them at relatively close quarters). Our sessions are exciting, fun and memorable.
Our vision is a world where all people are valued equally, listened to and included, and where the natural world is valued and respected. We want everyone to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential in life.
Our mission is to make a significant difference to the lives of people (children, young people and adults) through interaction with Birds of Prey, in partnership with Cheshire Falconry, and with the support of qualified psychologists and appropriate therapeutic techniques.
We will work closely with and for the benefit of individuals, groups and organizations whose values reflect ours.
Our team
Anita Morris – Director / Psychologist
Anita has been working closely with Cheshire Falconry delivering innovative developmental programmes for the last 17 years. She has a passion for helping others to succeed which, she has combined with her passion for animals in founding Hack Back. Anita is a qualified psychologist, behavioural coach (Master Coach) and therapist, and is a member of the British Psychological Society. She now has her own birds Murray (Burrowing Owl), Idris (African Spotted Eagle Owl), Mango (Barn Owl) and Axel the White Faced Owl. Anita is currently studying for a PhD in animal assisted therapy and autism. When she isn’t working or studying she can be found out walking with her Newfoundland dogs Koko and Buffy (who also work in therapy) or riding her bike.
Anita has worked with many organisations including : Together Trust (Inscape House School), Royden Park Project (Wirral Evolutions), NHS, HM Treasury, UEFA (Switzerland), Merseyside Police, Dadafest, Mencap Liverpool, BYPHS, Venture Housing, University of Nottingham, British Polythene plc, Richmond Fellowship, and many more!
Steve Birchall – Director
Steve has been involved with Birds of Prey and falconry for many years. He has owned and run Cheshire Falconry for over 25 years. Steve is the dare devil in the team. He is an avid water skier and diver, and regularly visits exotic places to investigate the amazing scenery in the depths of the ocean. Not content with heading down to the ocean’s depths he has been known to travel to heady heights and has bungee jumped off the highest building in New Zealand. As you can tell from his profile picture he is comfortable with predators of all types.
Steve Morris – Director / Company Secretary
As accountant Steve is responsible for numbers and systems at Hack Back on a part-time basis. He is also a highly experienced mentor and coach. He has worked as Financial Controller / Finance Director in a number of £multi-million turnover organisations, but loves the hands on work he does with the Third Sector. Steve joined the Hack Back team as he likes to “do his bit” for the community. He has a passion for animals and walking, and appreciates the benefits of a long walk with his dogs at the end of a busy day.
Simon Jones – Butler – Falconer
Simon is a qualified zoo keeper as well as a highly experienced falconer and animal trainer. He has worked at Cheshire Falconry for over 3 years and has supported Hack Back projects from the first day he arrived. His knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for nature are contagious and his engaging personality make him an ideal member of our team. The young people we work with adore our sessions with Simon. We often work with Freddie the Ashy Faced Owl in the Cheshire Falconry woodlands and we can confidently say that Simon is Freddie’s favourite human.
Murray
Murray is a Burrowing Owl and is probably the most important member of the team. He is the smallest of the birds we work with. He is also responsible for our “tweets” on Twitter (although he does think they should be hoots!). Murray was trained by Anita and is comfortable flying to wheel chair users, in hospices and in hospital wards.
Our Values
As a CIC any profit made by the company will be reinvested into the company for the benefit of the community.
Hack Back CIC is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee. Company no. 8013987
- Being people centred
- Empowering, including and respecting all people
- Transforming lives
- Respect for animals and the natural world
- Delivering competently
- Integrity and professionalism.