The Beacon of Hope Eco Heritage
Trust, also known as The Hope Project, is a holistic outdoor recreation therapy
centre working with people at risk of social exclusion. We are a not for profit Community Interest Company committed
to reinvesting in the local community.
The organisation was set up with the purpose of creating equal
opportunities in accessibility to recreational activities. There are many people
who are socially excluded through being at a financial or social disadvantage.
Our projects focus on helping the youth, in particular inner city kids and
minority groups. We are committed to providing
recreation opportunities for people who cannot otherwise access these services,
in a unique and outstanding rural location.
Who We Support
We work with young black and
minority ethnic people with special educational needs, for example, NEETS (Young people Not in Education
Employment or Training), people of dual heritage, and inner city youth at
risk of gun and knife crime. We also work with women’s groups and the ethnic
communities of Cornwall and members of the transgender and intersex communities,
both locally and nationally.
All religious groups are welcomed and catered for, working with the Head
of Religious Studies for Cornwall schools, who is MLTB trained; we also work
closely with the Cornwall Symphonia and Kernow Music.
Our project helps a cross-section of the British population and therefore
we attract support from a variety of organisations. Recently an acclaimed human
rights activist expressed an interest in our project; details of which will be
posted to our Facebook page.
The Challenges
As a black
British climber and a mountaineering enthusiast, the group’s founder Sam Farmer
noticed a lack of cultural and ethnic diversity in the context of recreational
activities. People are unaware of the prejudice and exclusion experienced by minority
groups and young people when attempting to participate in outdoor activities. We
hope to change intolerant behaviour and attitudes, but until this is achieved,
we endeavour to create a sanctuary where all may enjoy recreational activities
in an environment of acceptance.
Our mission is to bring
together the many communities that make up Cornwall and Great Britain in a
cross-pollination of subcultures, art forms and appreciations.
Activities
The Beacon
of Hope Eco Trust teaches Eco Therapies at St. Agnes Beacon Hill. We facilitate
character building activities like rock climbing, sculpture, painting and music.
We also provide instruction in practical skills such as Horticulture, Animal Husbandry
and Environmental skills.
We intend to open up the
beautiful Cornish landscape to clients who haven’t previously had chance to
experience recreation and learning, working in a truly outstanding location
with talented mentors, trained teachers and other professionals who empathise with
the youth of today.
All outdoor instructors hold MLTB awards and are able to lead
clients on schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Our teaching staff is
fully trained and able to help clients attain local college merits, awards and
certification. We also work in partnership with Real Base Training to enable
clients to achieve the certification that will help them on to college and work
placements
We also offer counseling,
which is provided by Clear Solutions, and integration to local colleges at
Truro College and the Tremough campus of University College Falmouth.
The facility is based at St.
Agnes Beacon Hill, overlooking Perranporth. This is an area of outstanding
natural beauty, a world heritage site, a site of special scientific interest
and the location of rare flora. The view from the site provides a 300 degree
vista of prime Cornish countryside, covering 28 parishes and distances of fifty
miles to the foothills of Bodmin moor - you can see from Padstow to St Ives
along the north cliffs.
Upcoming Events
We have an
exciting event organised that aims to bridge the gap between several local
diversity groups so that we join forces in tackling issues of exclusion while
celebrating diversity. We have planned a
camping weekend at St Agnes Beacon Hill, to allow ample time for discussions,
sharing experiences thus enabling us to benefit from each other’s expertise and
to support one another in addressing the issues that we all face. In bringing
together a diverse array of people we aim to strengthen community ties and
communications.
Due to
attend is The Pinnacle Club which is
England’s largest women’s climbing club, LGBT
Truro which is Truro’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Community group;
together with Unity Cornwall who is
Cornwall’s first Black and minority ethnic group.
The event
will feature bonfire, fireworks, barbeque and camping with fantastic activities
to get involved in, such as a climb of Beacon Hill, cave exploration, orienteering
and finally a storytelling session that reflects tales of socio-cultural unity.
Join Us Outdoors!
We are an
inclusive organisation and we openly invite any readers or supporters to join
us at our events, or onsite at St. Agnes Beacon Hill.
Our
upcoming bonfire camping weekend is free to attend, although a contribution is
graciously welcomed. We ask that all those attending are able and willing to
respect all equally, as you would like to be respected yourselves.
Tents are
available on request and all climbing equipment is free to use.
We look forward to meeting new people and sharing our vision for a
society that is unified in celebrating acceptance and diversity.
*****
New Website Launch!
The Beacon of Hope Eco Heritage Trust has launched its new website. You can now visit us at: http://www.the-hope-project.co.uk/ and become more familiar with who we are and why we're passionate about what we do.
We welcome you all to have a look and enjoy our content. Feel free to comment and contact us on Facebook and Twitter below.
Want to know more? Further
information can be found below:
Visit our Facebook page, and please LIKE us: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beacon-of-Hope-Eco-Heritage-Trust
Join The Beacon of Hope on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehopeproject1
**Please see The Beacon of Hope's new website: http://www.the-hope-project.co.uk/ **
"Welcoming and thanking our new sponsor Eazy Collect who will be
providing Direct Debit facilities to all our charity partners" Giving from the
heart. 
