Summer Holiday Programme

i Jun 13th No Comments by

Join us for five weeks of fun and exciting activities this summer.  We will be running a programme of mixed outdoor activities for 9-18 year olds from Monday 31 July until Friday 1 September (Monday – Fridays).  Session times are 10.30 – 1.00 & 2.00 – 4.30.

Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis each day.  Weekly places can be booked on Monday mornings, registration opens at 9.30.

Activities cost £5.00 per day or £20.00 per week.

You will need to have a completed parental consent form to take part in the activities, these can be downloaded from the Youth Activities page on the website or can be picked up from the Centre Reception.

Please give us a call on 020 7481 4210 or drop us an email at info@shadwell-basin.org.uk for further information.

Kala Patthar Challenge

i Sep 22nd No Comments by

Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre Kala Patthar Challenge Success!

The challengers summited Kala Patthar (5555m) at 16.57 on Friday 28th October.

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The group flew from Kathmandu and begun the trek in Lukla.  The Trek passed through Phakding, Monjo, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and finally Gorakshep prior to summiting the Himalayan peak of Kala Patthar in the Everest Valley.  It was a great achievement for the group of eight young people and the four Shadwell staff members.

“It was such an amazing journey being surrounded by the worlds giant mountains and finally the view of Everest itself from Kala Patthar, although physically and mentally draining”.

The young people battled fatigue and minor illnesses at times in the altitude however were generally fit and healthy.  “Well done to them for the training prior to the trip and their success on their expedition”.

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As we returned from the summit the stunning Ama Dablam towers up from the cloud base below.

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An unforgettable view as the sun sets over the region.

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The Community Project

We established a link with Monjo Primary School in the Himalayan village of Monjo.  The group members and Centre staff completed a community project there to develop the playground and PE facilities.  The children also receive school equipment to enhance learning and clothing to keep warm in the cold mountainous conditions making it easier for them to focus on their lessons.

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Here is a picture of the Kala Patthar Challenge Team and the young people of the school after they received their down jackets and school bags filled with stationary and other items.  The team taught lessons in English, Mathematics, Art’s and crafts, Football, Skipping, Team Games and a sports racing challenge.

 

Prior to the expedition

The group have been fundraising and training for the expedition for a year and completed their last training trip to Snowdon in September.  Following in the footsteps of the very first Everest expedition, the team climbed up Snowdon via the ridge of Lliwedd, enjoying the fantastic views from the top.

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Details of the expedition

The expedition will trek from Lukla to Kala Patthar on an epic journey reaching 5,555 metres. The group of eight 15 to 18 year olds will spend 22 days from October to November 2016 walking in the Everest Valley. During the trek they will learn about the region, its people and the environment.

We have also established a link with Monjo Primary School in the Himalayan village of Monjo.  The group members and Centre staff will complete a community project there to develop the playground and PE facilities.  The children will also receive school equipment to enhance learning and clothing to keep warm in the cold mountainous conditions making it easier for them to focus on their lessons.

The young people on the challenge will have an adventure of a lifetime , most definitely have a life changing experience and then be in a position to inspire others. On return from the expedition they will visit local schools and present the project to other young people.

A massive thank you to all our sponsors and those that donated money towards this successful expedition and to those that helped but did not go on this amazing adventure. We did it for all of you. 

Thank you.

Adventure for All

i Jan 22nd No Comments by

In 2014 the Centre was successful in gaining a three year grant from Sport England to set up an Inclusion Programme.  The programme has been a great success so far, with many young people from local schools and organisations, as well as individuals, taking part in activities.  If you are interested in bringing a group or have any queries about the programme please give Rob, our Inclusion Co-ordinator, a call on 020 7481 4210 or email rob.edwards@Shadwell-basin.org.uk

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

i Jan 22nd No Comments by

Our new Bronze Award group are starting their training on Thursday 11 February, if you are interested in joining the group please come along on that evening or give Rachel Bean a call on 020 7481 4210, or email Rachel.bean@Shadwell-basin.org.uk

The group will be training onsite with evening sessions in navigation, campcraft and cooking.  These sessions will lead on to day trips out around London to put the skills into practice, before gearing up for a practice weekend and the main expedition early in the autumn.

The training dates for 2016 are as follows:

Thursday 11 February – Equipment evening at Shadwell

Sunday 6 March – day out for navigation

Thursday 17 March – Map reading evening at Shadwell

Thursday 14 April – Tent pitching evening at Shadwell

Thursday 21 April – Navigation evening at Shadwell

Sunday 15 May – navigation day out at Bewl Water

Thursday 26 May – Campcraft & cooking evening at Shadwell

Thursday 9 June – Navigation planning evening at Shadwell

Sunday 19 June – day out at Ashdown Forest

Thursday 7 July – First Aid evening at Shadwell

Thursday 8 September – Route Cards and expedition planning evening at Shadwell

Friday 9 – Sunday 11 September – training expedition – venue TBC

Thursday 29 September – Final planning meeting at Shadwell

Friday 30 Sept – Sunday 2 October – Assessed Expedition – venue TBC

 

Kala Patthar Challenge

i Jan 22nd No Comments by

Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre will be taking a group of young people on an international expedition to Nepal in October 2016.

The expedition will trek from Lukla to Kala Patthar on an epic journey reaching 5,555 metres. The group of twelve 15 to 18 year olds will spend 22 days from October to November 2016 walking in the Everest Valley. During the trek they will learn about the region, its people and the environment.

We have also established a link with Monjo Primary School in the Himalayan village of Monjo.  The group members and Centre staff will complete a community project there to develop the playground and PE facilities.  The children will also receive school equipment to enhance learning and clothing to keep warm in the cold mountainous conditions making it easier for them to focus on their lessons.

The young people on the challenge will have an adventure of a lifetime , most definitely have a life changing experience and then be in a position to inspire others. On return from the expedition they will visit local schools and present the project to other young people.

The overall fundraising target for the Kala Patthar Challenge was £27,000. To date with our Virgin Money Giving page, individual and team fundraising and assistance from independent funders and groups we have so far raised £25,500.  This is an amazing achievement and we are truly grateful to those who have supported us so far.  Our final push in the next three weeks will be to achieve our overall target of £27,000.
There are many individual success stories with the fundraising that we have done so far. The young people going on the expedition should be congratulated for their individual fundraising successes,  some of them have raised more than double their target, with one young person raising over £1,000 compared to the £360 target set.  Kala Patthar group events also raised over £2,000, with a great Quiz Night and fantastic Salsa Evening organised by the parents and the London Kayakathon, where some of the young people took part in a marathon distance paddle on the River Thames.  There have also been great individual projects which have helped us towards our target.  One of these is the Bench Blisters Rowing Team, made up from London magistrates, who participated in the 2015 Great River Race, raising £10,400.

If you would like to support the team please come along to one of our fundraising events, details will be listed on the website, or you can make a donation via our fundraising page at

www.virginmoneygiving.com/kala-patthar-challenge

Join our staff team for 2015!

i Jan 27th No Comments by

The Centre is seeking to appoint two seasonal instructors to work in the period April – October and June – August 2015.  We are looking for enthusiastic and hard working instructors with a minimum of two years experience and a wide range of NGB qualifications in canoeing, sailing, climbing and mountain biking.

The posts will be based on a 35 hour week but will involve flexible working, including some evenings and weekends, instructing a wide variety of user groups.

Due to the nature of the work the posts will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Salary £1445 – £1577 monthly depending on qualifications and experience.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 16 February 2015.  Interviews will be held on Wednesday 25 or Thursday 26 February.

For an application pack please contact: Centre Co-ordinator, 3-4 Shadwell Pierhead, Glamis Road, London E1W 3TD or email: info@shadwell-basin.org.uk

Shadwell Basin receives £108,875 boost for disability sport

i May 6th No Comments by

Disabled people in Tower Hamlets will have more opportunities to get involved in sport after Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre received £108,875 of funding over three years from Sport England’s Inclusive Sport fund.

Jumping for Joy 2

The centre is one of 44 projects across England that will benefit from £8.06 million of National Lottery investment from Sport England to open up more opportunities for disabled people to play sport.

Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre is a local charity, started in 1976, for the community in Tower Hamlets. It helps to develop the potential in young people through providing outdoor and adventure activities.

The centre will use its funding to deliver regular coaching sessions and programmes in adventure activities for people with disabilities. The money will help recruit an inclusion coordinator, train staff and help with purchasing specialist equipment to help people with disabilities take on challenges in outdoor adventure. Eventually the aim is to open a water sports and adventure activities club for people with disabilities.

Centre Director, Mike Wardle, said: “We are over the moon and so excited to be receiving funding from Sport England’s Inclusive Sport Fund. It means a great deal to the centre, the community and the borough. It will help children, young people and adults in the local area and beyond access outdoor sport in a safe and challenging environment. The centre wants to use the money to offer; canoeing and kayaking, orienteering, sailing and rowing to the disabled community”.

Sport England Director of Insight, Lisa O’Keefe, said: “We are delighted to be able to help Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre provide more opportunities for disabled people to give sport a go. Record numbers of disabled people now play sport and it’s thanks to organisations like this that we can continue to improve opportunities and make a real difference in communities.”

The number of disabled people playing sport regularly is on the rise. In December 2013, Sport England’s Active People Survey – an annual, in-depth measure of the nation’s sporting habits – revealed that a record number of disabled people in England now play sport each week. However, non-disabled people are still twice as likely to play sport as disabled people (39.2 per cent compared to 18.5 per cent), which is why Sport England continues to focus attention and investment to address this imbalance.

Sport England’s Inclusive Sport Fund supports programmes that aim to increase the number of disabled people playing sport. Since the fund launched, £17.1 million has been invested in 88 projects that make sport a viable lifestyle choice for disabled people.

As well as funding disability sport programmes, Sport England also funds equipment. In addition to the £8.06 million announcement, Sport England also recently awarded £1 million to 141 clubs across England to help them buy equipment to open up sport to disabled people.

For more details about the project at Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre, please contact Mike Wardle on 020 7481 4210 or mike.wardle@shadwell-basin.org.uk

Sport England is focused on helping people and communities across the country create a sporting habit for life. We will invest over £1 billion of National Lottery and Exchequer funding between 2012 and 2017 in organisations and projects that will:

  • Help more people have a sporting habit for life
  • Create more opportunities for young people to play sport
  • Nurture and develop talent
  • Provide the right facilities in the right places
  • Support local authorities and unlock local funding
  • Ensure real opportunities for communities.

The National Lottery has been changing lives for 18 years. Every week National Lottery players raise over £30 million to help change people’s lives across the UK.

 

 

Saturday Adult Sessions in 2014

i Mar 13th No Comments by

Ever fancied having a go at Kayaking or Climbing, but always thought those things happened far away?

Well, dream no longer, because throughout 2014 Shadwell Basin is offering sessions for adults on Saturdays right in the centre of London.

Come on your own or bring a group of friends to kayak on Shadwell Basin, or scale the heights of our climbing wall and High Ropes Course on the banks of the Thames.

Choose from Kayaking in the morning or High Ropes in the afternoon, or stay for the whole day. Sessions cost £25 each per person.

To book, contact us by calling 020 7481 4210 or emailing info@shadwell-basin.org.uk

Discounts available for adult sessions!

i Feb 5th No Comments by

We currently have an offer available through Living Social, for half day climbing / high ropes or kayaking sessions.  These activities are running on selected Saturdays between March and July and cost only £15.00 per person.  There are only a limited amount of vouchers available, to get in quick and book your session now!

Training Opportunities!

i Jan 27th No Comments by

Are you:
Aged 16 – 21
Unemployed
Not in training or education?

Start the new year with the possibility of a new career!
If you are interested in sport and adventure and want to try something new, then why not train with us as an outdoor activities instructor? You need to be committed, motivated and free from February – May 2014.

We are holding an open day for prospective applicants on Friday 31 January. If you would like further information please contact the Centre on 020 7481 4210.