Our Founders
Jason Ashton
Co-Founder of Ripple Pathway Initiative
Karen Ashton
Co-Founder of Ripple Pathway Initiative
Our Core Values
01
Inclusive Access
Karen Ashton is an educator, therapist and co-founder of Ripple Pathway Initiative. With around 20 years of experience running Holistic Therapies Training Academy, she has dedicated her career to helping people build confidence, develop practical skills and discover new opportunities through learning.
Holding more than 50 qualifications across her fields, alongside her experience as a CBT counsellor, Karen brings extensive knowledge and a compassionate approach to her teaching. She is particularly passionate about making training in beauty, massage and holistic therapies accessible to people with disabilities and additional learning needs.
Karen recognises that every learner is different. Her approach centres on patience, encouragement and adapting teaching to the individual, helping students feel comfortable asking questions, developing their abilities and progressing at a pace that supports their learning. She believes that education can create opportunities for personal growth, greater independence and meaningful employment.
Through Ripple Pathway Initiative, Karen works alongside her husband, Jason, to extend that support into the wider community. Together, they support charities across the region and aim to help more people access inclusive activities, training and opportunities.
At the heart of Karen’s work is a simple belief: everyone deserves to feel valued, to have their potential recognised and to receive the support they need to pursue their ambitions.
02
Community Focus
Jason Ashton is a martial arts instructor, qualified counsellor and community advocate with 43 years of experience in martial arts training. As the founder and Head Instructor of Zen Combat School, now Zen Combat Academy, he has dedicated much of his life to helping people build confidence, develop skills and overcome barriers to participation.
For many years, Jason has worked with schools, care homes and individuals through group activities and one-to-one support. His experience includes supporting people with disabilities, special educational needs (SEN), neurodivergence and mental health challenges. He adapts his teaching to each person’s needs, recognising that progress looks different for everyone.
Jason brings patience, discipline and understanding to his teaching, alongside the compassion developed through his counselling background. His qualifications include domestic abuse counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Jason was also a co-founder of Zen Waters CIC, a community interest company dedicated to standing against domestic and sexual abuse and supporting those affected. This work reflects his longstanding commitment to helping people feel safe, rebuild confidence and move forward through difficult circumstances.
Under Jason’s leadership, Zen Combat Academy became the UK National Governing Organisation for the International Inclusive Taekwon-Do Association (IITA). This role reflects his commitment to widening access to martial arts and supporting inclusive teaching. He invests in instructor development, including safeguarding, counselling skills and Makaton, to help his team better support their students.
What matters most to Jason is seeing someone achieve something they once believed was beyond them. Whether it is completing a technique, joining a class or finding the confidence to try again, those moments continue to drive his work.
Together with his wife, Karen, Jason co-founded Ripple Pathway Initiative to extend their commitment to inclusion across the wider community. Alongside their support for charities throughout the region, they aim to create more opportunities for individuals, families and organisations to access inclusive sport, education and training.
Jason’s belief is simple: with patience, understanding and the right support, people should have the opportunity to discover what they can achieve.
03
Empowering Futures
We provide the tools and opportunities necessary for young people and adults to reach their full potential and build meaningful, independent lives.
04
Hopeful Vision
Our mission is to remove barriers to participation through clear communication and a calm, professional approach that inspires hope and progress.