Wirral charity giving disadvantaged children a boost

Feb 13 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

barnston

A WIRRAL charitable organisation is working with disadvantaged children to broaden their outlook and improve future prospects.

In the past year the Barnstondale Centre has supported 8500 residential and 3500 non-residential visitors from the Greater Merseyside community.

Teachers, youth leaders, community group leaders and youth organisations use their facilities as a support mechanism for their own development programmes.

These self-devised programmes often work hand in hand with mainstream education and help children who are living through issues such as lack of confidence, lack of motivation, low self esteem, truancy and underachievement.

Community awareness officer JonPaul Lowles, 36, said: “I was one of these children so I understand how they see things.

“Children are like sponges, they are victims of their environment, and Barnstondale aims to alter their outlook.”

Set within 15 acres of land on Storeton Lane, Barnston, the centre includes an ancient woodland dale with a stream and pond, and a variety of indoor and outdoor sporting facilities including an adventure climbing wall designed for both able bodied and disabled users.

Barnstondale also offers a wide range of morale building outdoor pursuits such as archery, canoeing, rock climbing, orienteering and problem solving.

JonPaul added: “We are a small charity and are hugely dependant on funding and volunteers from the community.

“We really need volunteers specially qualified in outdoor pursuits.”

From March 25-28, Barnstondale are launching a new Inclusive Sports Adventure Week for disabled children aged between 8 and 15 years.

The centre desperately needs sponsorship for this event, which costs £110 per child per week.

If you want to volunteer or can help with sponsorship, call George Jones on 0151 648 1412.