Every year the charity drums-up support from its network of corporate patrons to help create our Summer Camp at Bibby’s Farm in Chorley. The mammoth task of building a canvas-village with the capacity to accommodate more than 100 individuals takes around 5-hours, thanks to the team of 25+ volunteers who bleed, sweat and cry to make it happen!
FCMS, Key Group, Tandem Bank, Perch Group and Inenco all provide their staff with volunteering opportunities throughout the year as part of their commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and we’re at the front of the queue to ensure that we can provide a top-quality learning environment for our young people during the Summer Holidays.
During the first three weeks of August approximately 200 young people will benefit from a combination of high-quality youth work provision surrounded by the Rivington countryside. The Boathouse Youth prides itself of being able to include this fully-funded provision as part of its core offer where participants will take charge of their own learning.
The site comprises of twenty 4-berth sleeping tents; two 8-berth bunk houses; a fully-functioning field kitchen, which will produce up to 300 meals per day; a dining marquee; a store tent; a camp office and welfare base; plus staff accommodation. Upon arrival, young people become responsible for the smooth running of the camp including leading activities, catering and keeping everything clean and tidy.
Many volunteers return year after year, such as Mel Cafferty from Key Group, who said “What this charity do is just incredible and that’s why me (and my husband!!) are back every year to do our bit”. Mel has volunteered four consecutive years in a row and has become a dab-hand at leading a team to pitch all twenty of the accommodation tents in record-breaking time.
The first week of camp was exceptionally muddy – the worst we’ve ever experienced in 15 years! FCMS were so supportive of our plight and fully-funded the purchase of solid flooring for our main tents and to create a pathway around our site, whilst also providing a team of hard-working individuals to come and help clean the mud from tents ahead of the second cohort of young people arriving.
First-timer volunteer, Adam Glover, from Perch Group – who coincidentally went to school with our CEO before both ending up in Blackpool – enjoyed his day so much that he’s agreed to return in three weeks time and provide his invaluable support for the take down!
It’s not just the physical task of pitching and striking tents that are important, we seek any skillsets that can benefit the growth and development of our young people. Caitlin Perrey, Content Executive, from Tandem Bank is providing her skills to support our Youth Content Creator, Tieghan, 15, to enhance her skills around TikTok.
Laurance Hancock, CEO, said “Quite simply, we are powered by business. Thank you”.
