Last week, Vodafone employees put down their laptops and picked up their tools to lend a helping hand at Youlbury Scout Activity Centre, Oxford. The Vodafone team were tasked with overhauling the old accommodation block and surrounding outdoor areas to make sure the camp is well-kept as an inspiring place for young people and visitors.
The Youlbury Scout Activity Camp is a key hub in the local community, not only offering its facilities to Scouts and Guides, but also opening its door for schools, team building days and outdoor skills training. The camp prides itself on building confidence, leadership and teamwork through a unique outdoor experience with over 60 activities onsite. The refurbishment of the accommodation block by Vodafone will allow for more visitors and will build on the company’s ongoing partnership with The Scout Association which was launched back in January, supported by the Vodafone Foundation.
The camp, which is over 100 years old and covers 42 acres, is completely volunteer managed and so the sheer size of it, coupled with the multitude of activities on offer, makes it difficult to run without a substantial number of volunteers. The team of Vodafone employees spent the day improving and refurbishing the oldest accommodation block as well as storage areas outside to ensure the camp is ready for the many school children, Guides and Scouts that stay there to gain invaluable skills. The Vodafone team will be back in action at Youlbury over the next few weeks to finish off the accommodation and complete much needed fencing work.
Justin Tarrant, Youlbury Centre Manager, said: “With such a large area to cover and so many activities on offer, it’s so important that we get volunteers who come and make a real difference. We are thrilled with the Vodafone team who have been fantastic and we are looking forward to them coming back in a few weeks.”
Janet Negus, Vodafone Project Manager said: “It’s been great to take time out of the office to give something back to a charity that provides such brilliant activities. I wanted us to volunteer with The Scouts as it’s a place we can continue to go back to on a regular basis and really see the progress and difference we make.”
The partnership between Vodafone and The Scout Association has already seen Vodafone donate its time and skills, as well as helping The Scouts develop the Digital Manifesto, which aims to help young people build key digital skills and stay safe online. Vodafone will also be supporting two badges that will help Scouts in their development of digital skillsets.
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Notes to editors:
Vodafone and The Scout Association launched their partnership in January 2016 to help young people learn invaluable digital skills for the future. More information here: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/campaigns/scout-partnership/index.htm
- More information on Youlbury Scout Activity Camp can be found here: https://www.scoutadventures.org.uk/centre/youlbury
- Vodafone giving time: We help our employees make real contributions to society by encouraging everyone to take up to three days’ Charitable Leave every year to volunteer, either as individuals or as part of a team. We’re proud to say that between 2014 and 2015, 15% of our people gave time to community projects. More information can be found here.
- More images available on request.
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