Annualreview2014

ANNUAL REVIEW 2014

FAITH IN YOUNG PEOPLE

GROWTH We have continued to explore ways to start new work and to grow existing Companies, to provide every child or young person with the opportunity to join BB regardless of where they live.

The Brigade has continued to invest in growth strategies producing additional recruiting resources for local Companies. The “Growing Bigger, Growing Better” Campaign has embedded annual recruitment strategies, with over one third of Companies growing by 10% or more.

The Boys’ Brigade is very much part of the mission and outreach of the local church working in partnership with 1430 churches of many denominations across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The Boys’ Brigade continues to

Key to growth is recruitment and retention of adult volunteers and this year 1,333 new volunteers have joined the BB.

be a bridge into communities and through its activities thousands of children and young people, many of whom have no

We were delighted that the fantastic work that our leaders do was recognised when two BB Captains, Christine Johnstone and Colin Weir were awarded national youth work awards by Scottish Government Minister, Aileen Campbell MSP.

other connection with the church, hear the gospel message each week.

Whilst this review seeks to demonstrate a year in the life of the Brigade, it can only

Through Membership of Youth United, the Brigade has benefitted greatly from financial support from the Government’s Social Inclusion Programme and the Uniformed Youth Social Action Fund. The funding has targeted new work in areas of deprivation and low youth provision and the Brigade has been able to appoint development workers in London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.

New Companies have been started in all areas.

There is an exciting partnership developing with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, work in primary Schools has started in Stoke on Trent, a new group is underway at Wetherby Young Offenders’ Institute and at Winson Green Prison in Birmingham, BB provides activities for children of visitors.

FACT #3

FAITH IN YOUNG PEOPLE

provide a glimpse of the movement. As

FACT #1

you read the following pages we hope you will agree that much is being achieved and that we have continued to deliver quality youth work to our young people.

= 12,439

= 40

new churches have chosen BB as their partner in outreach and mission with children & young people in the local community

leaders overall 1,333 joined this year

1st Levenshulme Company In Manchester which started during the year

THIS EDITION CONTAINS

FACT #2

03 Growth 04 Quality 05 Voice

= 1,433 CHURCHES ACROSS BRITAIN

06 A Year In Pictures BB Leaders pick up National Awards

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FOLLOW US AT

/theboysbrigade

THE BOYS ’ BRIGADE ANNUAL REVIEW 2014

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VOICE

QUALITY

Children & Young People

The King George VI leadership programme, spread over two separate weeks in consecutive years, continues to provide excellent youth leader training to young people in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Visitors to the courses included the Brigade President and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

= OVER 700 holidays were provided giving over 15,000 children & young people over 65,000 nights away

Over the past 12 months we have been developing our brand to create a consistent, distinctive and relevant image for the organisation.

Putting our “Faith in Young People” strapline into practice, ensuring that our members’ voices are heard both inside and outside of the organisation.

Launched by HRH The Prince of Wales, Step Up To Serve, is a campaign to double the number of young people involved in youth social action by 2020. The Brigade has involved its members in serving the community since its inception and has pledged to support the #iwill campaign by increasing accessibility and promoting social action across all age groups.

Two of our young people, Craig Bateman, 1st Kidderminster and Kenneth Watson, 93rd Glasgow have become #iwill ambassadors.

“The highlight of my BB experience so far has to be the time I’ve spent at KGVI. It has helped me grow in confidence, and been an opportunity to meet “I have always had a genuine passion for using my skills to make a real difference in my community and I believe that I have been able to create new and exciting opportunites for the next generation.”

Craig

John Robson, 3rd Gateshead

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= 982 Queen’s Badges awarded

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the European Fellowship, the Easter Course was held in Birmingham and attracted 32 young people from 7 countries and organisations. The theme for the week was ‘Created by You!’ and featured intercultural learning opportunities for participants to share ideas whilst exploring and developing their faith.

Many Companies in Scotland have benefitted from Community Grants made available from CashBack, allowing more young people to participate in a wider range of sporting, musical and adventurous activities.

new people and share and learn.”

More young people have achieved the Brigade’s top award, the Queen’s Badge, contributing over 75,000 hours of volunteering in the Brigade and wider community.

FACT #6

= 50,099

FACT #5

FACT #4

We want all of our members to have the best possible experience; to have fun, to achieve and to be able to participate fully in their Companies and the wider Brigade.

“Seeing someone else benefit from what you have taught them is the greatest reward of coaching.”

Kenneth

Many Companies have been involved in overseas’ ventures giving seniors opportunities to make a real difference in disadvantaged areas.

In Scotland there was a range of opportunities open to older members and young volunteers including a trip to Lisbon, a communications workshop and Edinburgh Festival programme.

THE BOYS ’ BRIGADE ANNUAL REVIEW 2014

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36 members of the 2nd Port Glasgow Marching Band played as part of the official entertainment for the Commonwealth Games, part of Festival 2014.

They and supporters experienced the wonderful Commonwealth atmosphere, with performances in George Square and Glasgow Green.

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A Year in Pictures

B entertains at B the Games

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J uniors Giant Sleepover

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Spanish Adventure

Young people from 41st Edinburgh and 25th Stirling spent a week on the Costa Brava sightseeing, team building and doing both land and water sports including paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling and sailing.

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Freedom of Lisburn City

On 26th April, Lisburn City Council conferred ‘freedom’ on Voluntary Uniformed Youth Organisations including The Boys’ Brigade.

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Earl & Countess visit 1st Buckie

181 boys plus leaders of the 1st Buckie greeted TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex when they visited the Company in May.

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Royal Visit to Newport

HRH The Earl of Wessex visited the new Northern Ireland District Headquarters at Newport on Wednesday 24 September 2014. The Royal visitor had an opportunity to meet young people, leaders and other guests, as well as view a number of camping and cooking demonstrations carried out

by DofE participants.

London lives ‘Life 2 the Max’

Over 600 BB members from across London came together at the end of June at Felden Lodge for Life 2 the Max, a bi-annual event for the District.

WWI Centenary Service in Glasgow

A group of BB members from across the UK came together to represent the BB at the National Service of Commemoration at Glasgow Cathedral in August.

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B members meet Prince B William & Kate

On an official visit to Scotland, The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland, met with BB members whilst visiting a Community Centre in Crieff.

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ray Love Manchester P

Manchester Battalion took part in a week of Prayer in support of “Pray Love Manchester”, an initiative where Churches and organisations sign up to commit to each leading a week of prayer. The Battalion set out to work together to challenge Companies and their young people to explore their faith and feeling towards both prayer and God. Fourteen Companies got involved throughout the week; some dedicated 24 hours to prayer, others dedicating their parade night to a night of prayer.

BB YOUNG LEADERS AT SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

BB young leaders represented the organisation in the Scottish Parliament’s Garden lobby, highlighting our work to MSP’s.

Over 400 Junior Section members from across Scotland took part in a giant sleepover at Glasgow Science Centre in November.

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www.BOYS-BRIGADE.ORG.UK

THE BOYS ’ BRIGADE ANNUAL REVIEW 2014

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The Boys’ Brigade Patron: H.M. The Queen Vice Patron: The Archbishop of Canterbury President: The Lord Griffiths of Burry Port Chief Executive: Mr Steve Dickinson

Our Object The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian Manliness.

MOTTO Sure & Steadfast – Hebrews 6:19

Headquarters UK & Republic of Ireland Felden Lodge, Felden, Hemel Hempstead,

Can you help us?

Hertfordshire HP3 0BL Tel: 01442 231 681 Fax: 01442 235 391 Email: enquiries@boys-brigade.org.uk Scotland Carronvale House, Carronvale Road, Stirlingshire FK5 3LH Tel: 01324 562 008 Northern Ireland Newport 117 Culcavey Road Hillsborough BT26 6HH Tel: 028 9268 8444 Wales 58 Richmond Road, Cardiff CF24 2AT Tel: 029 2048 3555 Republic of Ireland Unit C1 Nutgrove Office Park, Nutgrove Avenue Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 Tel: 0035 31 296 4622

Registered COMPANY / Charity The Boys’ Brigade is a Company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales number 145122.

A registered charity in England and Wales (305969) and Scotland (SC0038016)

Design CPO – www.cpo.org.uk

Practically Many of our Companies need more volunteer leaders and there are groups that have to operate waiting lists. With the support of more adults, the BB experience could be offered to more children and young people. Could you help us by sharing some of your time to support a local Company? Full support and training is given to all of our volunteers. Please contact us for details of a local group.

Prayerfully Each week thousands of young people come into the church environment through the activities of The Boys’ Brigade. Many have no other connection with the church. The support of prayer for leaders and members is vital in our ongoing commitment to advance Christ’s Kingdom. There are also details of specific projects that you may wish to pray for on our website.

Financially The Boys’ Brigade is mainly dependent on raising finances through its membership. We do not feel that we can ask more of those that give so freely of their time week by week. With greater financial resources, the Brigade could offer more support to its Companies and expand its work to attract more young people into the life of the church. Can you help by means of a single donation or through a regular financial giving? For details of our “Friends” scheme, please contact us.

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