Peel L&P sponsors Bolton charity to support children and young people’s mental health during Covid-19 pandemic

Peel L&P and its northern-based homebuilder Northstone has sponsored Bolton Lads’ and Girls’ Club (BLGC) to help 8 to 19-year-olds with range of issues including isolation, loneliness and bereavement during the coronavirus pandemic.

The sponsorship will be match-funded by the Government’s Community Match Challenge which aims to support the most vulnerable who have been hit the hardest by the Covid-19 crisis.   

Formed in 1889, BLGC is one of Bolton’s oldest organisations and currently has around 4,000 active members, 89% of whom live in the most deprived wards in the borough.

The town also has a higher than average proportion of young people in the care system and poor mental and physical health issues are prevalent.

Peel L&P’s sponsorship will help the club to deliver youth services across the charity’s four Bolton centres through sports activities, counselling, family support and mentoring programmes. The club also provides a safe zone for children and young people who are vulnerable and where personal risk is more likely during the pandemic.  Peel L&P has now become a Platinum Patron with the club.

Phil Wilson, Peel L&P’s Executive Director of Land, Communities & Homebuilding said: “Bolton Lads’ & Girls’ Club is a fantastic local charity that’s been helping young people to realise their potential for many years and as an investor in Bolton, we are committed to supporting third sector organisations that help our communities to stay healthy and thrive.”

“Our sponsorship is focussed on enabling the club to deliver more outreach work to support the mental health of children and young people who are struggling during the current pandemic and we’re pleased that it also opens up additional funding from the Government at a time when people need it most.

“We’re keen to continue working with the club to see how we can further our support and we’re involved in a number of other projects for young people across Bolton including careers advice and improving access to sports.”

Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Bolton Lads’ and Girls’ Club said: “We would like to thank Peel L&P for their generosity in donating to the club at this very difficult time. Growing up, for some of our young people before Covid-19 hit, was already a struggle and the lasting effects of Covid-19 are likely to hit young people the hardest, partially from an economic perspective, but also increased emotional strain.

“As a Safe Zone, and via our Bereavement and Mentoring Projects at the club, we are first-hand witnesses to this. We are seeing increasing levels of high anxiety, low mood, isolation and self-harm. The donation from Peel L&P will help us to support our young people struggling with their mental health at a time when they really do need it the most.”

More information about Bolton Lads’ & Girls’ Club.