We aim to develop young people through challenging, adventurous, and educational activities

Essex Boys' and Girls' Clubs (EBGC) is an activity based organisation, formed in 1939, whose objective is to promote mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing in young people of either gender, to help prepare them for adulthood, citizenship and employment. During 2009 it changed its original name from Essex Association of Boys' Clubs (EABC) to more accurately reflect its membership.

Why the community needs this charity

We provide positive activities for our 10,000 members across Essex and the East London Boroughs of Newham, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Waltham Forest and Havering. We have 2 outdoor pursuits centres. Stubbers Adventure Centre in Havering and the High Row Centre in Cumbria. Our activities range from Scuba Diving to five a side. By engaging young people in positive activities we aim to develop them to their full potential enabling them to have a positive impact on their communities.

Results and outcomes

We have numerous success stories from international sports stars such as Alan Shearer, Ravi Bopara, Amir Khan through to successful business people including those who aim to make a difference in their local communities. The majority of the 1,500 volunteers across our clubs are past members as indeed are the majority of our own staff. Where clubs exist incidents of youth nuisance decrease and the communities have better cohesion.

Latest activities and projects

Respect

The project is aimed at 14-15 year olds and is run in their own time over 12 weeks and uses the outdoors as the medium for the youth work. There are a number of evening sessions, an environmental/weekend residential followed by a week in the Lake District exploring the issues that affect the young peoples everyday life. It has been running for a number of years in partnership with local schools, the police authority, connexions and other agencies. read more