Young people will be leading conservation projects to protect churches and cathedrals around the country.

The new pilot programme of one-week Cathedral Camps, which take place over July and August is targeted at 16 – 25 year olds who will do everything from recording gravestone inscriptions to cleaning monuments.

The first starts in Edinburgh on Wednesday 11th July 2007 and follows last year’s announcement that Cathedral Camps would survive after responsibility for developing the camps was transferred to UK volunteering charity, CSV.

Julia Thompson, 19 from Canterbury will be leading groups of 16 – 25 year olds at Edinburgh cathedral and St Deny’s Church, Southampton helping to restore and renovate the sites. She says: “The work that volunteers will be doing at these camps is extremely valuable as cathedrals cannot afford to employ people for this kind of work and it is great to make a positive impact on British heritage.

“But the camps are not just about work, but having fun. We get a few volunteers who come from abroad and it is amazing to see the progress they make throughout the week, not just with their English but with their confidence. They love to learn about English customs and we learn a lot from them, too.”

Cathedral Camps has over 25 years experience of drawing on volunteers’ energy to help conserve Britain’s cathedrals and churches. Cathedral Camps are working with CSV (Community Service Volunteers) which creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of communities through volunteering, training and community action.

Arnie Wickens, Assistant Director of CSV, said: “Cathedral Camps demonstrate the positive impact that young people make in helping to protect our architectural heritage. Volunteers’ time, energy and enthusiasm plays an important role in preserving social history and preventing landmark buildings from falling into disrepair.” 

Cathedral Camps Programme 2007

1. Edinburgh Episcopal Cathedral 11 – 18 July
2. Worcester Cathedral 18 – 25 July
3. Canterbury Cathedral 18 – 25 July
4. St Deny’s Church, Southampton 25 July – 1 Aug
5. Derby Cathedral 25 July – 1 Aug
6. Peterborough Cathedral 1 – 8 Aug
7. Southwark Cathedral, London 1 – 8 Aug
8. Southwark Cathedral, London 8 – 15 Aug
9. Holy Trinity Church, Wentworth, South Yorkshire 8 – 15 Aug
10. All Hallows by the Tower, London 8 – 15 Aug

For more information about CSV’s Cathedral Camps, visit: www.cathedralcamps.org.uk

Further press information: Olivia Ware on 0207 812 0039 or oware@csv.org.uk or Jason Tanner on 020 7812 0038 / 07941 433598

Volunteering with CSV on Cathedral Camps is only one of the many ways that people can broaden their horizons, gain valuable CV skills and make new friends. CSV’s UK based gap years last 4-12 months and are free. Volunteers live away from home and are provided with accommodation and a living allowance. CSV volunteers support young offenders, homeless people and adults with learning difficulties as well as helping people with physical disabilities lead independent lives. www.csv.org.uk/gapyear or call 0800 374 991.

Note for Editors

1) CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK’s leading volunteering and training charity and creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action. Last Year, 227,000 people gave over 5 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. www.csv.org.uk