Youth – £1,871,000 distributed in 189 grants
The two largest grants in this category were for the Outward Bound Trust and the Marine Society & Sea Cadets, both of which received £100,000. The Outward Bound Trust is at the forefront of challenging and innovative outdoor learning and has centres located in Fort William, Aberdovey and Ullswater. Young people are introduced to both physical and mental activities, and are encouraged to try new things in a safe and controlled environment. The Trustees recognise that outdoor adventure makes a significant contribution towards the development of young people.
The Sea Cadets is the nation’s most enduring maritime youth charity, with 400 units throughout the UK and 15,000 young people engaged in learning nautical and other skills. Fun, friendship, adventure and the acquisition of new skills is at the core of the organisation. This year’s grant helped to acquire a new training vessel.
There were several grants of £50,000, mostly for charities organising a range of activities for young people. The Woodlarks Camp Site Trust in Farnham is redeveloping some outdated support buildings, the Rona Trust in Southampton is replacing one of its yachts and TocH in Aylesbury is being supported in its work encouraging young people to volunteer. Lodge Hill Trust activity centre near Chichester received £30,000 for refurbishing overnight accommodation.
£25,000 was donated to Skill Force Development for its work with disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. It aims to build confidence and self-esteem, and also to develop team work, problem solving and leadership skills. It takes place largely within schools and complements the statutory provision. This grant was in support of the ongoing delivery of their work in Islington and Greenwich.
Kids’ City received £15,000 to help maintain and grow its frontline work in the inner city boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth. Activities range from martial arts to arts and crafts, keeping children engaged and active. An extensive volunteering and training programme for young people and adults with limited work experience has also been introduced.
£15,000 was also received by the Exodus Project in Barnsley, which runs activity clubs for children aged 8 to 11 and separate clubs for older youths. It also visits children and their families in their homes in order to support parents and carers as well as the wider community.
The Trustees considered a wide range of projects of varying scale, demonstrated by a £1,000 grant made to Holiday Support in Cheltenham, which provides respite holidays for children living in Women’s refuges in Gloucestershire. Similarly the 21st Hartshill Scouts was supported with £1,000 for new camping equipment.
