The Trust aims to empower local communities to make a difference. One of the ways in which GBCT enables this is through supporting volunteering among young people. George was a great supporter of St John Ambulance’s LINKS (student) units and was a role model for many of their members.

GBCT is proud to be continuing George’s great work with young people and in furthering awareness of life saving first aid skills, by supporting Young Kent. A grant of £1500 has been made to enable the charity to deliver five of their ‘How to Save a Life’ sessions, which teach young people how to deal with every day first aid and emergency situations. In addition, a number of peer educators will be trained on the GBCT supported courses, which will help the charity in achieving their aim of training up to 3000 young people across the county. GBCT’s First Aid Outreach Coordinators are currently exploring how GBCT volunteers may also be able to help in delivery of the sessions, any GBCT supporters who would be interested in volunteering should contact Kat Stoner/Mel Watson via info@gbct.org.uk.

GBCT is also supporting the next generation of leaders in Bolton, funding 14 places on a Young Leaders Course at the Bolton Lads and Girls Club (BLGC) with a £1000 grant. BLGC is one of the biggest youth centres in the UK, with a membership of over 8000 children and young people. Following a successful pilot, BLGC is expanding its Young Leaders Project to train more young leaders to support the wide variety of activities that take place at the Club. GBCT Trustee Ian Cressey recently visited the Club and met a number of the young leaders and the Project Leader who were supporting the Junior Club for 8 to 12 year olds. The young leaders were running various activities, including arts, crafts, games and sports – the members were clearly having a great afternoon. It was also evident how much the young leaders were gaining from the experience of working with the young people, BLGC staff and supporters like GBCT. For example, young leaders Charlotte and Olivia led an extremely professional and informative tour of BLGC’s facilities. GBCT is proud to be supporting expansion of the project and the Trustees look forward to sharing updates on how the GBCT supported young leaders are progressing.

GBCT Trustee Ian Cressey meets BLGC’s Young Leaders and project staff (From left to right: Young Leaders Charlotte and Alex; GBCT Trustee Ian; BLGC Young Leaders Coordinator Liam; Young Leaders Olivia and Ruqayyah).

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