For Grant Funders
Welcome! We support ~5,000 of Cornwall’s children and young people every year, in the form of specialised support for vulnerable young lives and school residentials. Thank you so much for taking the time to consider supporting us. Every penny we receive makes a lasting impact for Cornwall’s young people. We hope you find this information helpful but please get in touch if you have any questions!
The problem
Poverty & NEET challenges
Cornwall is one of the poorest counties in the UK, with around 30k people living in poverty. Its NEET (not in education, employment or training) population is above England’s average for 16-17 year olds and has been growing.
Child abuse & neglect
There is a strong relationship between poverty, child abuse and neglect, as cited by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. It’s our mission to support all children and young people so they can achieve better life outcomes and reverse the impact of poverty.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Over half of those we support have experienced 5 + Adverse Childhood Experiences. These include challenges such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse, neglect, household dysfunction such as domestic violence and more.
Our Solution
Specialist Support
Each year we work with ~500 children and young people facing multiple disadvantages including rurality, social isolation and poverty. Over 200 receive specialist long term support to face trauma, learning and/or physical disabilities, behavioural challenges, mental ill-health and more. We use trauma-informed outdoor youth work to help them overcome barriers.
Supporting school groups
We provide unique school residentials with accessible and inclusive options available to ensure every child can participate. Our programmes provide long-lasting benefits, including building a love for the outdoors and the mental wellbeing linked with that. Our Brighter Futures Fund subsidises pupils eligible for free school meals, ensuring that no child misses out.
Life-changing adventures
Through activities like Via Ferrata, Zip-lining, Watersports, Climbing and accessible adventures, we help them to: build resilience, confidence and positive relationships; conquer fears; identify and overcome social, emotional and physical barriers; develop crucial life skills; discover strengths and passions, make life-long memories and have lots of fun!
Why we need your help
The sole education source
For some of the young people, BF Adventure is the only source of education or appropriate social contact as they refuse all other provisions offered.
Multiple urgent needs to be met
As children and young people gain our trust they also seek advice with us about other subjects such as domestic violence, drug abuse and housing issues.
A long and growing waiting list
We receive enquiries from families in desperate need of support. We know what we do works; we see incredible breakthroughs in those we work with. But there are so many more to reach.
100%
of feedback responders would recommend our services
1,039
children & Young People accessed one of our specialist support programmes last year
4.3/5
average referrer score: rise in their Young Person’s wellbeing, confidence & empowerment
“there was a real difference in Christopher’s ability to remain calm and think through his actions, so he was supported to restart mainstream education at a new primary school.” – Christopher’s Instructor
Christopher’s Story
Christopher was 8 years old and living in a foster placement because he and his siblings were abused. In his early years, he experienced parental neglect, violence and was exposed to offending behaviour and alcohol misuse. When the children were taken away by social services, the two younger siblings were quickly adopted and his older siblings lived with their grandparents. As a result Christopher felt extremely confused, distressed and angry.
When referred to BF Adventure, Christopher was in crisis. He had extremely low self-esteem and had been self-harming from a very young age. At BF Adventure he was supported to recognise his abilities and as his self-belief increased, he gradually overcame some of his fears, including heights, water and he even learned to swim.
We’re going greener!
We’re progressing towards being carbon neutral. By investing in our on-site renewable energy, we can be greener AND make huge utility savings, enabling us to invest more funds back into our charity work. Win-win!
Got some questions for us?
What about your governance?
Our board meets 4 times a year, alongside monthly meetings for our Finance, Governance & Health & Safety Committees. We are audited annually – our Charity Registration number is 1071862 and our Companies House Registration is 3546772. Our Financial Year ends on 31st August.
Can I access your accounts?
Of course! You can do so here.
What's your return on social investment?
Every £1 donated to our charity programmes returns over £18 in social return, increasing its value to make a positive difference by nearly 20 times. For each £1 we spend supporting young people, the longer term benefit and saving (in terms of reduced demand on services – social care, health and social security) is estimated as £18, in effect a saving of Taxpayers’ funds to that extent, based on average Social RoI research in the education support sectors.
Never miss out…
Subscribe to our newsletter to get charity news, updates on fun events and opportunities and special offers with our public adventures!
Safeguarding taken seriously…
Safeguarding is our top priority. It’s central to everything we do. Our staff are thoroughly DBS checked – read our policy for more information.