News

Here’s where we share what we’ve been up to and celebrate the good things happening in our community.

Stay tuned – and if you have something to share, we’d love to hear from you!

23 September 2025

What a week it’s been at Jamboree On Board! From hands-on projects to powerful conversations, our young people have shown just how much heart, talent, and insight they bring to the table.

We wrapped up the week with a special visit from Dave Robertson MP, who spent the afternoon chatting with both Jamboree members and our younger youth club attendees. The discussions were nothing short of inspiring—covering disability, global issues, politics, and everyday life. It was a joy to see our young people lead with curiosity and confidence. A special shout out to Tilly and Callum, whose thoughtful contributions reminded us all how powerful young voices can be.

Throughout the week, our members embraced a packed schedule of creativity, learning, and community impact:

• Monday: Woodwork and planter-building for our new space, plus independent living skills
• Tuesday: Creative textiles, drama, and teaching Makaton at The Croft School Armitage
• Wednesday: Volunteering at Beacon Park, building their social enterprise, and supporting at Barchester
• Thursday: Ceramics and more life skills development
• Friday: Litter picking with The Litter Legends, caring for our Tiny Forest, and memory-sharing with MHA & Shine and Sign

Members also gained valuable work experience at the Lichfield Family Hub, while Lauren and Riley continued to shine in their Supported Internships with Liberty and Rocklands School.

This week was a powerful reminder: our young adults have a place, a purpose, and voices that deserve to be heard.

Well done, everyone — we couldn’t be prouder!

With thanks to our partners and supporters:

• The National Lottery Community Fund
• Lichfield Family Hub
• BBC Children in Need
• Queen’s Croft High School – Headteacher Blog
• Lichfield District Council
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Omega Outdoor Adventure
• Beacon Park Lichfield
• The Spires Care Home – Barchester Healthcare
• Dave Robertson MP for Lichfield, Burntwood and the Villages

23 September 2025

What a fantastic evening we had at LiberTeens last Thursday! The room was buzzing with laughter, learning, and genuine connection as our young people came together to build friendships and explore new ideas.

Our young ladies began a thoughtful journey into the topic of puberty, supported by a safe and nurturing space where questions were welcomed and confidence grew.

Meanwhile, the boys opened up about their hopes and dreams—through a brilliant twist on Jenga that sparked meaningful conversations and plenty of smiles!

We’re incredibly proud of every single young person who joined us. Your energy, openness, and kindness make these sessions truly special

A huge thank you to our brilliant team and trainee youth workers, with a special shout-out to Noah for bringing extra sparkle to the evening!

We can’t wait to welcome you all back next week for more fun, learning, and laughter.

With heartfelt thanks to our partners and supporters:

• The National Lottery Community Fund
• BBC Children in Need
• Queen’s Croft High School – Headteacher Blog
• Sherbrook Primary School
• Lichfield Family Hub
• Two Rivers High School
• Saxon Hill Academy
• Rocklands School ASPF

19 September 2025

We’re delighted to announce that we have been awarded a generous £82,880 grant from HS2, to be delivered over the next three years.

This funding marks a significant step forward in our mission to make sports accessible, empowering, and inclusive for all.

The grant will support our exciting new initiative, ‘Reach Your Goal’, a project designed to strengthen and expand our Inclusive Sports Programme – with a special focus on our ever-growing and hugely successful football offer. From grassroots sessions to competitive opportunities, our football programme continues to break barriers and build confidence for our members of all abilities.

This funding comes through the HS2 Community and Business Funds managed by Groundwork UK, which aim to offset the disruption caused by HS2 construction by investing in local communities and economies. We’re proud to be part of this effort and grateful for the opportunity to grow our impact.

Stay tuned for updates on ‘Reach Your Goal’ as we kick off new sessions, celebrate achievements, and continue to champion inclusive sport across our region.

For more information about the HS2 grants and how they support local projects, visit Groundwork’s HS2 Funds page.

16 September 2025

At the start of the new term, we were thrilled to unveil the breathtaking mural created by the incredibly talented Rebecca Hernshaw, who generously gifted the masterpiece.

Over several weeks, Rebecca poured her creativity into transforming space at our new Liberty building – bringing to life a vibrant centrepiece that reflects everything we cherish at Liberty. From our beloved Tinker, our founder’s beloved former dog, to the inspiring individuals who’ve shaped our journey, her work captures the heart of our community.

We’re deeply grateful for Rebecca’s artistry and kindness. Her mural is more than just a visual highlight – it’s a celebration of connection, care, and creativity.

You can explore more of Rebecca’s work: @ARTBECO2024

Thank you Rebecca!

We are also grateful to the following for helping fund the project:

• The National Lottery Community Fund
• Lichfield Family Hub
• Lichfield District Council

#artistsoninstagram #communityart #LibertyYouthClub

29 July 2025

Earlier this month, we were honoured to be invited to Beau Desert Golf Club to host a friendly competition as part of the Captain’s Golf Day.

On Saturday 12 July, Captain Geoff Dyas selected Liberty Jamboree as one of his two chosen charities, bringing together golf enthusiasts for a fantastic day of sport and generosity with competitions on the 2^nd and 12^th holes. 

Geoff was also joined by his family, providing wonderful support on this special occasion.

For a small donation, golfers could take part in the ‘Beat the Pro Challenge’ on the 2nd hole, while Liberty hosted the popular ‘Hole-in-One Challenge’ at the 12^th where three skilled players earned a spot in the prize draw to win a 3-ball round at the prestigious Little Aston Golf Club.

In addition, the players were welcomed with refreshments, generously donated by kindly donated by Pete Saunders at Caterforce Ltd, which provided a much-needed pit stop on a very hot day as well as the opportunity to talk to some of our members.

Liberty Jamboree was delighted to be part of the day and deeply grateful to Geoff for selecting us as one of his charities.

The event was supported by some of our young adults and staff with Georgina Stevenson, Emily Wiels, Jack Parnham, Richie Shenton, Hannah Davies, her sister Beth Redfern, Liberty Trustee Kat Steventon, and our Liberty Striders Leader and fitness guru, Sally Huckfield. Thank you to everyone for making the day so memorable, serving refreshments, collecting wayward balls, and engaging with the players.

Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of all those who took part, both competitions raised an incredible £2,000.

22 July 2025

We’re excited to share that we’ve received a generous grant of £258.96 from the Andy Biddle Youth Sports Foundation to help us buy some much-needed new inclusive sports equipment.

Trustee Suzanne Walker and her son Harry had a brilliant afternoon up at the Cricket Club in Sutton Coldfield, where they accepted the cheque on Liberty’s behalf. It was a great chance to meet the team behind the Foundation and hear more about the amazing work they’re doing to support young people in local sport.

The money will go towards brand new inclusive sports equipment, which is perfect timing as we prepare to move into our new building.

A huge thank you to everyone at the Andy Biddle Youth Sports Foundation for their support. It really does make a difference!

You can find out more about the Foundation and how they fund youth sport at: www.abysf.org

16 July 2025

It was all smiles and strikes as Liberty Youth Clubs’ Nex Gen and Jump groups came together last night for another fantastic evening out, this time for a lively night of bowling, food, and friendship.

A total of 28 young people took part in the trip, enjoying a brilliant evening filled with laughter, team spirit, and unforgettable moments. Whether it was their first time bowling or they’re seasoned pros, everyone joined in the fun and made the most of the experience.

A huge thank you to Emily for planning and organising such a successful outing, and a big thank you to everyone supporting the trip and making the evening run smoothly. These special experiences simply wouldn’t happen without you.

It was a fantastic night spent with even greater young people, and we can’t wait for the next adventure!

With thanks to:
The National Lottery Community Fund
BBC Children in Need
Lichfield Family Hub

#LibertyYouthClubs #YouthTrip #BowlingFun #Teamwork #InclusionMatters #YouthWorkWorks

15 July 2025

Congratulations to Shine & Sign for a fantastic year of impact at The Croft Primary School in Armitage, where today’s celebration marked a joyful milestone in inclusive education.

Over the past year, our Shine & Sign choir has brought Makaton to life in the classroom, teaching not just signs, but doing so through fun, engaging weekly themes like colours, numbers, animals, and even space. Their creative approach has made learning accessible and exciting for every child involved.

Today, pupils and the choir proudly showcased everything they’ve learned in a heartwarming event filled with song, sign, and smiles. It was a true celebration of communication, creativity, and inclusion.

This incredible initiative was supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, BBC Children in Need, Lichfield Family Hub, and The Makaton Charity – thank you to all who made it possible.

Well done to everyone involved—what a brilliant achievement!

#InclusionMatters #YouthEmpowerment #YouthWorkMatters