Now we are well and truly into 2024, we want to reflect on the difference people and donors have made over the past two months. Our theme for February is ‘heroes’ and we want to give a huge shout-out, and thank all our Action4Youth heroes.
On Saturday, Action4Youth Trustees, Graeme Shankland, David Apperly, Alastair Douglas, and their team set off on their 100km trek in the Wadi Rum to raise much-needed funds to upgrade our outdoor learning facility, The Caldecotte Xperience. The goal is to raise £70,000 towards the redevelopment and they are over halfway there! By achieving their target our Capital Appeal will reach £500,000. An enormous thank you to the team taking part and raising vital funds to ensure the Caldecotte Xperience can continue to offer a vibrant, exciting, and adventurous centre with fully inclusive activities for young people in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.
“This adventure is about more than just traversing the stunning landscapes of Wadi Rum; it’s about investing in our youth. Action4Youth has been a beacon of support for over three decades, and I am honoured to contribute to its growth and impact.” Graeme Shankland, A4Y Trustee
We are excited to announce that Action4Youth has been chosen as the ‘Charity of the Year for 2024’ for two of our corporate partners, SquareTrade and Careys. SquareTrade and Careys frequently volunteer for Action4Youth and raise vital funds for our programmes and facilities. We can’t wait to continue to work together and continue to support more young people in 2024.
The government-funded Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund generously awarded Action4Youth £75,000 to fund the fantastic work happening at The Junction in High Wycombe. This substantial contribution will enable us to work with, and support even more young people in High Wycombe and surrounding areas, making a lasting impact on their lives. Local MP Steve Baker visited the centre to see all the amazing youth work happening first hand.
A key priority for 2024 is the redevelopment of the main building and infrastructure at The Caldecotte Xperience. The changes will significantly improve the centres accessibility and functionality to create a vibrant, exciting, and adventurous platform for fully inclusive activities for young people in Milton Keynes.
How you can get involved…
We have two exciting events coming up that you can get involved in to help raise vital funds for the Capital Appeal. By taking part, teams will be raising money to help the Caldecotte Redevelopment making in a more accessible and inclusive space for local young people.
Take part in The Xtreme Challenge on Tuesday 16th April 2024. Participants navigate an obstacle course across land and water including climbing, abseiling, caving, canoeing, running, and wading.
Sign up for your FREE MK Marathon Place on 5th and 6th May 2024. Milton Keynes Marathon takes place on the 5th and 6th May. You can choose from a 5k, half marathon or take on the full challenge of a full marathon and raise money for The Capital Appeal!
At last month’s Big Challenge Lunch, we announced Sophie Bannerman’s the winner of the Outstanding Achievement award for her progress on her Inspiration Programme journey.
Sophie’s Story
The Inspiration Programme has been a catalyst for positive change in the life of Sophie, a once shy and withdrawn student. Through The Inspiration Programme Sophie experienced a boost in confidence and self-esteem. Throughout school, Sophie had been shy lacking in confidence and very insular. The programme has enabled her to gain confidence and self-esteem. Sophie has made more friends whilst taking part and talks to more people than ever before.
At the beginning of the programme, Sophie had to do a presentation for her media class and could not do it with the teacher having to take over. Yet 6 weeks later she stood up in front of her peers and did the presentation alongside others on the programme. Sophie said she felt it helped to have to sit with other students and build relationships that then improved her confidence, communication, and teamwork skills.
The Programme also made her passionate about the subject she was studying which in turn helped with her presentation to the whole class of over 30 fellow students and School Senior Leadership Team members. Sophie has then taken this positive change even further helping with the creation of posters for her school that educate young pupils to be more aware of their use of single-use plastics and its impact on the future of the planet.
What does the programme Involve? During term-time 16-17 year old pupils across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes will have the chance to discover three new experiences developing key life skills: Grow Your Life Skills Grow Your Employability Grow Your Community From outdoor activities to life skill sessions in school delivered by our team of experts this is a programme not to be missed!
Coming to the rescue of parents and guardians wanting to keep their young ones active in the holidays, The hugely popular holiday clubs are back for the Easter holidays! The days include a mixture of activities from water sports and climbing, to bushcraft and more! Children and young people 8-16 years old can attend.
Discover our NEW Xperience packages and choose a break to suit your group’s needs. Choose from Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze. Booking your next residential stay at The Caldecotte Xperience could not be easier with our new Xperience packages. Simply decide how many activities and nights you’d like to stay and pick an accommodation type. The George Amey centre offers comfortable, indoor accommodation or alternatively, nurture your outdoor adventurer and choose from our stunning yurts, bell tents, or standard tents.
We are so excited to announce that we are finalists in the #MKBAA2024 awards in the Charity of the Year category – sponsored by MK Community Foundation. We have our fingers and toes crossed!
There are loads of ways you can get involved and be an Action4Youth hero. We appreciate all of our supporters and there is a breadth of ways to join in.
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