Birmingham City Boxing Club

Birmingham Settlement

Bishop Young Academy

Blackley Cricket Club

The words of the club Chairman, Tony Ganner, brilliantly tells the story of the impact of this VIY project on the club (with some of our photos to illustrate!)

“5 years ago, the ground and clubhouse had fallen into serious disrepair to a point where cricket could no longer be played at the ground. Membership had fallen to the extent that the club was reduced to one senior men’s team playing at a rented ground elsewhere in the city. A new committee was formed, and new lease was agreed with Manchester City Council, extensive fundraising began to address the above issues with the assistance and support of local Councillors, Manchester Cricket Development Group and Lancashire Cricket Foundation.

Extensive repairs and refurbishment to both the ground and the clubhouse which has included a new roof have taken place over the past four years. Great efforts have been made to increase membership and participation in cricket to the extent that the club now has two senior teams, a thriving women’s and girl’s section which fields a team in a Women’s Soft Ball League. The Club also now operates an All Stars Cricket Programme for 5 to 8 year old boys and girls and a Dynamos Cricket Programme for 8 to 11 year olds. The clubhouse is also now used by a local scout group.

Earlier this year the club was put in touch with VIY via Lancashire Cricket Foundation who have been instrumental in helping the club with its current development.”

5 young people from Manchester Youth Zone and the local area volunteered on a tough job removing old flaking paintwork and repairing damaged concrete panels, as well as the complete external painting of the buildings, plus two additional shipping containers which are currently used as a changing room and a ground equipment store. Five P&D (hard-earned!)and H&S Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations were awarded through this project.

“The transformation of the exterior of building is incredible. The work has been carried out to a very high standard and the project has been completed bang on schedule. The club are delighted with the project outcome and are extremely grateful to the mentors and the young people who have carried out the work. It has been a truly worthwhile project that is of great benefit to both the club and the wider community.”

Tony Ganner

Club Chairman, Blackley Cricket Club

Blackwell Adventure

Blackwell Adventure is a beloved outdoor adventure charity located in Blackwell, near Bromsgrove. Approximately 25,000 young people use the centre each year. It’s used by various different groups including Scouts, Guides and Voluntary Youth Organisations, with a large number of schools, colleges, family groups and businesses that also use the centre. They offer a vast range of activities including, tented villages, a water sports lake, archery, team building exercises and indoor and outdoor sports activities amongst many others.

The project

We helped Blackwell Adventure to upgrade their sports hall by insulating and redecorating this central facility on their grounds – a space so cold in winter it had limited use and very limited potential for half the year.

Following support from Sport England to implement a new roofing system including a new glazed gable end, the insulation inside will now allow the venue to be used and enjoyed all year round.

The impact:

• A game-changer for energy conservation and efficiency; minimising heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer – a more sustainable charitable venue
• Financial savings and gains; anticipated significant reduction in their heating and cooling costs (financial savings which can translate directly into more resources for programmes and activities) and a now feasible venue to offer out for additional avenues for income streams in external business/large event hire
• A more sustainable and environmentally responsible organization
• 14 young people learning trade skills including carpentry and painting & decorating
• 13 Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations gained in these skills
• A warmer and brighter future for Blackwell Adventure, with an enhanced user experience and new avenues for engagement and fundraising

Blessed Trinity College

Bolsover School

Bomb Factory Art Foundation

Boldon Colliery AFC

Bootle Bucks Inclusion FC

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