On Monday 9th June, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Robert Ian Frankl, accompanied by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Dr Simon Archer, and representatives from the Province and Western Area — Martin Horan, John Taylor, Vince Dover, and Adam Cooper — visited the Bolton Lads & Girls Club following the awarding of a grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
The £60,000 grant from East Lancashire Freemasons will support the Club’s ‘Connect’ project, which benefits more than 150 children and young people in Bolton with disabilities and additional needs. Delivered over two years, the funding will help provide specially adapted youth club sessions for children aged 8 to 18. These sessions, led by specialist youth workers, are designed to develop young people’s physical, social, and emotional skills in a safe and supportive environment.
The Connect project will run every Monday from 5 – 8pm at Infinity, BLGC’s main youth centre in central Bolton, accommodating up to 40 children at each session. While on session, children enjoy a variety of activities, including arts, sports, wellbeing workshops, and life skills sessions, all tailored to meet the unique needs of each young person. Sessions include a free play area, a quiet zone, sensory room, and a hot meal for every child. The venue is also equipped with specialised sports equipment, a lift, and a disability-adapted changing room to cater for all children.
BLGC works closely with families, community organisations and schools to identify children who would benefit from joining the project. When they join, youth workers collaborate with parents and carers to develop a personalised support plan for that child, keeping them up to date with their child’s progress throughout their participation in the scheme. Beyond the project, BLGC delivers a variety of activities to support families including coffee mornings, and they can also help families access emergency funding, clothing, and food banks.
Founded in 1889, BLGC is one of the oldest youth club organisations in the UK. Today, BLGC supports around 5,000 children every year through a range of universal and targeted services designed to improve the lives of children and young people in Bolton. This includes open access youth clubs, counselling, mentoring, mental health and wellbeing services, young carers service, alternative education, and support for children who are looked after. BLGC aims to enable children and young people, especially those who experience forms of disadvantage, to live happier, healthier and positive lives. With the cost-of-living crisis still very much present and felt by our communities, BLGC is committed to breaking down barriers for children, especially those from struggling families, which is why the youth club has no joining fee or membership fees, and all BLGC’s services are free to access.
The grant from East Lancashire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, funded by Freemasons, their families and their friends from across England, Wales and the Channel Islands.
Katie Bridge, Fundraiser at Bolton Lads and Girls Club said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to receive this generous gift from the East Lancashire Freemasons. Their incredible support has secured the future of the Connect project for the next two years, ensuring that every child attending our sessions continues to benefit from free, tailored activities that help build their confidence and brighten their future. This funding is a tremendous boost, enabling us to provide vital support to children, whatever their additional needs.”
Vince Dover from East Lancashire Freemasons said:
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support Bolton Lads and Girls Club and the fantastic work they do to help disadvantaged children and their families in the local area. The support given will help break the cycle of disadvantage and provide a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment.”
Report by Adam Cooper