18 Dec Wilderness Foundation get funding boost to help support Essex youth
A wide range of Essex businesses and corporates came together to fundraise at the annual Barclays Quiz night at the Chelmsford Football Stadium in support of The Wilderness Foundation UK.
Together with Barclays staff the very generous amount of £3,862.48 was raised on the night.
Jo Roberts CEO of The Wilderness Foundation said ‘To have an opportunity to reach such a wide business community is a huge privilege for us, and we are incredibly grateful to the Barclays team for benefitting us on the evening. There is nothing like a quiz to get competitive juices flowing between the various teams – and it was huge fun as well. We work hard to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community and this support will help our various programmes such as environmental education, nature therapy and helping youth at risk become more resilient and able to cope with the complex issues in their young lives.’
Jo added “A selection of the Barclays team have also committed to supporting our Out There Academy young participants, funded by Essex County Council Youth Strategy Group. Volunteers from Barclays have trained as mentors and come out on the cold autumn and winter days to work with our groups at our Chatham Green site. They report feeling the benefits of being outdoors, personal growth and helping young people.”
In addition to helping Out There, staff also met with a group of young people who were engaged on a three day residential camping workshop to help them build confidence and aspiration to take up further education or employment. They made a huge impact on the group who felt uplifted by the advice given to them and to learn how Barclays look for aptitude and attitude in people. This gives young people who have struggled to obtain a raft of qualifications hope that employment can be possible for them if they can show their willingness to learn and engage with a positive attitude.
