Wigan Youth Zone members faced their fears in an all-expenses paid trip to Surfdonia.
In May, thanks to ongoing support from Martin Ainscough and Andrew Ainscough, Wigan Youth Zone was able to take 25 young people on a two-night residential trip to Adventure Parc Snowdonia.
The opportunity surfaced from Wigan Youth Zone’s Young People Awards Celebratory event last November, where Martin Ainscough surprised Nominees and Winners with an all-expenses paid two-night complimentary residential at Adventure Parc Snowdonia.
For many young people, a residential including surfing and climbing is a life-changing experience. For most, it was their first time away from their family, or even out of Wigan. Wigan Youth Zone is always looking at opportunities for young people to encounter invaluable new experiences, build independence outside of the home and strengthen their relationships with other young people they would not normally talk to or associate with, including exposure to new cultures and lifestyles.
The adventure parc features the surfing complex, glamping pods surfside, a rock climbing wall, indoor high ropes, indoor caving and loads more. Wigan Youth Zone members took part in activities, designed to build self-esteem, and confidence building and create new skills; such as surfing in a natural 300-metre lagoon, whizzing zip wires and indoor Ninja Assault and Slides course all nestled in lush green Conwy Valley in the foothills of the mountains of Snowdonia.
Junior Member Joe, faced his fears and still managed to get involved in the surfing activity although he couldn’t swim “Getting in the water, it felt great, it made me feel good about myself not being able to swim. I am now determined to learn so I can get more involved” he says.
“What a weekend, what an awesome time, thank you for giving us that extra life experience! Sometimes people never know how something like this gives us a lifelong memory”
Due to the pandemic and the ever-rising cost of living, many young people had missed out on school trips, this residential provided some, their first experience of staying away from home and a sense of independence as they stayed in luxury glamping pods.
Olivia is 16 years old and has been attending Wigan Youth Zone for almost 5 years enjoyed learning to surf. She mentioned that the weekend helped with her confidence, and allowed her to push herself to face her fears.
“We wouldn’t have had the opportunity to leave the Wigan Area if it wasn’t for the residential,” she says. “I would definitely want to do it again if there was another residential.”
Head of Operations and Youth Worker, Sikander Ali, says:
“It was a really good experience for the young people involved. Many didn’t know each other, so it pushed them right out of their comfort zones and gave them the opportunity to engage and make new relationships. The patience and attitude of the staff were phenomenal. All the instructors were constantly encouraging our young people and motivating them. Amazing experience.”
Martin Ainscough, Chairman, and owner of APS said,
“To be able to extend a vital experience to the young people at Wigan Youth Zone at somewhere like Adventure Parc Snowdonia is an honour. We opened the doors, to what is now known as one of the UK’s premier destinations in 2015 and it not only provides people with fun but also essential life skills.”
Wigan Youth Zone relies on donations and support from business investments along with kind donations from the local community. The charity needs to raise a minimum of £1.6 million every year to keep its doors open, with every donation going towards helping the young people of Wigan and Leigh discover a world of possibilities and create the future they deserve. For more information on how you too can help Wigan Youth Zone please contact lynsey.heyes@wiganyouthzone.org