Contrary to recent reports, the work of Cathedral Camps is to continue, thanks to a partnership with CSV.
At a special meeting held today (Tuesday 31st October 2006) at Southwark Cathedral the Trustees of Cathedral Camps resolved to transfer responsibility for developing the camps to CSV, the UK’s largest volunteering and training charity.
Cathedral Camps’ 25 years of involving young people in conserving and restoring places of worship will enable CSV to develop and extend programmes for the future, whilst making savings on overheads.
Executive Director of CSV, Dame Elisabeth Hoodless, said: “This exciting challenge will build on the relationships and experience built up over 25 years and ensure that new generations can volunteer to protect our heritage.”
Chairman of Cathedral Camps, The Very Reverend Richard Lewis, said: “Thanks to CSV’s commitment, we are confident that Cathedral Camps will now continue into the future following a period of uncertainty. Our partners, volunteers and leaders will continue to work together.”
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Further press information: Jason Tanner, CSV Press Office on 020 7812 0038/07941 433598
Note for editors
1. To date, Cathedral Camps have promoted an understanding of the historic environment for young people, through involving them in direct experience of the daily business of caring for cathedrals, parish churches and other places of worship while sharing in the life of the community actually responsible for the building. Volunteers on week-long camps are trained to tackle jobs throughout the building, inside and out, sometimes working alongside professional conservators on projects of special importance. Such a project was held at Durham Cathedral where a group of volunteers learned how to carry out delicate conservation work on Bishop Lightfoot's tomb, untouched for over a hundred years. The camps are run by experienced leaders who all started as volunteers.
2. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Each year 195,000 people give 4.9 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trains 11,500 people of all ages.