Founded 1889 Registration no. 03109525 Area served Bolton | Type Registered charity Location Bolton, England | |
 | ||
Key people Karen Edwards OBE
(Chief Executive) | ||
Bolton Lads and Girls Club is a youth club and registered charity based in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Contents
- History
- Mission Statement
- Activities
- Universal Provisions
- Targeted Provisions
- Notable People
- Awards
- References
It is one of the largest youth clubs in the United Kingdom, with a membership of over 4,000 young people. Based in Bolton's town centre, the Club is open 7 days a week, 51 weeks a year and welcomes all young people aged 8 to 19 years old (up to 21 for young people with disabilities).
Bolton Lads and Girls Club offers a range of targeted and universal provisions including sports, arts, mentoring and community outreach work.
History
Bolton Lads and Girls Club was established in 1889 in Bark Street, Bolton, during a time of great industrial and social change, by two church leaders and three industrialists, who decided they needed to help improve the lives of young people in Bolton. The Club was open every evening from 7pm to 9:30pm and provided a place to wash and eat, as well as a reading room, gymnasium and a games room that offered football, cricket, swimming, harriers, chess club, and wood turning. The Club also ran an annual camping holiday.
In June 1890 the Club was officially opened by the Bishop of Manchester, Dr Moorhouse, and in his opening speech he stated that when he first came to Bolton it struck him that the whole of this part of the country was covered with houses and human beings and that he could not see where there would be any open spaces for breathing or exercising. He commended the Club founders saying, "they could do not a greater service to a youth than to give him opportunities for healthy outdoor exercise."
An extract from the 1896 Club Review shows how quickly the Club became popular:
“They came in their hundreds, for of all animals, lads are perhaps the most gregarious. They came to meet their fellows under conditions somewhat more comfortable and convenient than their natural meeting place, the street. They initially came for amusement and for games and for nothing else, and if we had told them it was our intention to improve them they would certainly not have come. But it is interesting how quickly their attitude to the Club has changed, it is no longer our Club, it is theirs, and we merely manage it for them. It is no longer a mere place of amusement, but is a place which plays a real part in their lives, it is a place for honour and for success.”
In 2002 Bolton Lads and Girls Club opened a purpose-built, state of the art youth facility in the town centre from where they provide a range of universal and targeted services that are fully accessible and affordable at 50 pence per session.
The Prime Minister David Cameron visited the Lads and Girls Club in 2010.
In July 2012, David Cameron gave the Club's Chief Executive, Karen Edwards OBE a number of tickets to the 2012 Summer Olympics in response to the 2011 England riots, and to specific people who had contributed to their communities and the "Big Society" policy.
In 2014 the Club celebrated its 125th year with the creation of an Alumni society formed of former members, volunteers, mentors and supporters.
Mission Statement
Bolton Lads and Girls Club's mission statement is, "To inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realise their potential and become happy, responsible and caring citizens"
Activities
Bolton Lads and Girls Club aims to help all young people aged 8 to 21, to succeed in life through a wide range of programmes.
Universal Provisions
Targeted Provisions
Notable People
Bolton Lads and Girls Club has an active Patrons society composed of individuals, and local and national businesses. Notable Patrons include Yorkshire Bank, Mike Peers Managing Director of Harry Peers Steelworks, and Norman Stoller CBE.
Former Club Presidents have included Ross Warburton MBE of Warburtons Ltd. who was the Club's President between 1999 and May 2015. In June 2015 former Shadow Minister for Women Patricia Morris, Baroness Morris of Bolton took over the role of Club President.
Famous alumni include the British professional boxer, Amir Khan,