Sue Pell: Essex Boys and Girls Clubs

Unfortunately President Anne could not attend today’s meeting as she was looking after twin grandchildren who had chicken pox. Our First Vice President, Francis Whitbread, chaired the meeting instead.

The speaker was Sue Pell from the Essex Boys and Girls Clubs, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. It works together with many boys and girls clubs throughout Essex to provide activities and other support.

Sue started by showing us a video illustrating some of the events the organisation was involved in last year. These included:

• adventure camps;
• white water rafting;
• a 100-mile canoe paddle on the River Wye;
• cricket and boxing tournaments;
• a trek to a remote village in Nepal, where the group spent time in the school and with young people;
• a one-week visit to the Tennessee Boys and Girls Clubs, during which the group helped with the maintenance of part of the Appalachian Trail; and
• safeguarding training for leaders.

Essex Boys and Girls Clubs has its own centres for outdoor activities:

• Maes y Lade in Wales;
• High Row in the Lake District; and
• Stubbers and Layer Marney Outdoor in Essex.

It also runs “the Respect Project”, an alternative education programme for Year 9 students to help them reengage with their own education.

In 2018 more than 100 volunteers worked a total of 4,370 hours.

The organisation receives no government funding although it has received grants from the Lottery Fund. Other funds come from donations and fund-raising events.