BGC

Our Past

OUR PAST

The Federation of Boys Clubs – Founded in BELFAST, 1940.
Life in 1940 was very different. The second world war was on and we were a male only organisation. That seems strange now, but that’s the way it was.
Back in the 1940′s and 1950′s few people had phones or cars and TV was a dream for most people. Food was rationed until 1953, supermarkets and fast food outlets didn’t exist, and electricity was a novelty.
Today we have PCs, laptops, email, mobiles, texting, video games, the Internet, the Cloud and virtual reality. We take these for granted but the terminology and technology would have been beyond the comprehension and imagination of young people – and all people – in the 1940′s, 50′s, 60′s and later.

Over the years we’ve changed too.
The activities we organise, the facilities we provide and the services we offer move with the interests and needs of young people, our member organisations and the time in which we live. Our offices have been in different places and along the way there have been good and difficult times.
Yet, some things shouldn’t change…
And, there’s been a consistent theme.
Boys & Girls Clubs (NI) focuses on young people and those who work with them.
Often, we open doors to disadvantaged individuals and groups.
Ultimately, we encourage young people to realise their potential and develop as positive, responsible members of our society.
Time and technology won’t change this.

WHO WE ARE

WHO WE ARE

Boys & Girls Clubs was founded in 1940 as an independent, voluntary association of six local youth clubs. Today, we are a regional voluntary youth organisation (RVYO), a registered charity and limited company with a membership of 120 local youth organisations.

Our mission is to support the personal development and social education of children & young people, and to promote good relations and community development.
Each year we work directly with around 2500 young people, staff and volunteers.
We deliver membership support services, training, networking opportunities,
policy guidance, youth projects and an extensive programme of youth activities.
Our current youth work priorities are about supporting young people’s health &
well-being, lifeskills, physical activities, training & development projects and
information & support services.
We aim to create conditions that inspire and enable young people to be their best
in the pursuit of shared goals.

WHAT WE DO

WHAT WE DO

Much of what we do involves creating opportunities that bring together young people, youth groups and their communities – consciously creating diversity to connect at local, regional, European and international levels.

We aim to: “REACH out to all young people to INVOLVE and enable them to ENJOY and ACHIEVE together…”

• Sports & Physical Activities
• Information and Communications Technology
• Training
• International Youth Work
• Outdoor Education
• The Arts
• Personal and Social Development
• Volunteering & Support Services