DIY: The Big Build is back next week! A heartwarming project will support Hull Children’s Charity.
Volunteers worked together to convert a piece of scrubland into an outdoor recreation and camping area for St Michael’s Youth Project. This project provides support, food, and activities for many children in the community.
This site includes a large playground, woodland track, and timber-clad block kitchen. It will allow the non-profit organization to provide overnight camping and other adventure trips for children that otherwise wouldn’t be financially possible.
Rhod Gilbert, comedian, will host the Children In Need special. This special airs on Tuesday at 9:00pm. Nick Knowles had to cancel filming for a Shreddies advertisement.
Next year, Knowles will host DIY SOS again.
DIY SOS: This is the Big Build! Volunteers gathered to convert a piece of scrubland into a camp and outdoor activity facility for St Michael’s Youth Project. The project offers support and activities for children in Hull.
Bigger IS better! St Mike’s will have the new outdoor centre with its sprawling playground and timber-clad kitchen block. It can offer adventure and overnight camping to kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able. The project was finished in eight days.
Rhod Gilbert, guest presenter, fronts Children’s In Need Special on BBC1 Next Tuesday at 9pm
St Michael’s was established over 27 years ago. It is now open to kids and teens in North Hull and Orcharc Park, opening 11 hours per day and five days a weeks. They offer arts and crafts as well as dance classes and clubs for sports and outdoor pursuits.
The hot meal service is also available to children in need of food assistance.
Rachel, a charity worker, explained that while many parents may have two to three jobs, it is still insufficient.
“Kids return home after school, but they do not see their parents.” We are the only ones they see after school. It’s horrible to imagine that your only option is to do two or three jobs and still have enough time with your family. It’s a Catch-22. It’s impossible to win.
Matt Rogers, a youth worker from South Africa, set up a weekly bicycle clinic. This allowed children to take apart their bikes, and helped to increase the number of children who came to it. Sometimes, it is the first interaction children have with the centre. This can often lead to a long-lasting relationship.
He dreams of offering adventure and holidays to kids, far from his inner-city home.
Matt says that being outside is a huge benefit. “Kids can be themselves. The kids are free from peer pressure and can explore, play with sticks, or just be themselves.
View from the stop: The new bird-watching tower, made from recycled oak, is part of the Adventure Playground. The tower will offer thousands of children an escape to the country and allow them to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the city.
Triumphant: Rhod Gilbert celebrates with St Mike’s workers Matt Rogers and Jo Lorenz, and the children, after the build
“From the perspective of youth workers, we have conversations that we don’t get anywhere else, but perhaps more important, they have conversations between themselves and each other that they would never have before.
“We have groups of children who would not be able to hang out at home together because they feel pressured by peers.” It’s great to watch them mix and match, it’s amazing.
Rhod is told by Leland that he loves wildlife. It’s so quiet, so calm, it’s great.’
A patch of scrubland that St Mike’s gifted in 2019 is used by the group. It’s located about 20 minutes from Hull. Matt spent three years removing vegetation, but due to the absence of electricity and sewage, longer stays were impossible.
DIY SOS: Big Build changed all that. This team created a stunning kitchen within eight days. A toilet block is also available, along with a wooded cycle path and an adventure playground.
Life changing: St Mike’s workers Matt Rogers and Jo Lorenz, at the front, with some of the children who will benefit
Volunteers from DIY SOS: Big Build helped to transform St Mike’s’ community spirit. The team built a beautiful kitchen, toilet block and cycle track in just eight days.
Solar energy powers the entire center, including a large storage space and separate seating area. This makes it completely self-reliant.
Jo Lorenz, a St Mike’s worker, breaks down when shown the centre. She says that it is beyond anything she could have imagined because they didn’t know where to begin.
Matt added: “Water was the best thing in our life… It is simply amazing.
Presenter Rhod cries as Matt, Jo and Jo describe the importance of the new site for the St Mike’s Children.
Jo said, “It will make these kids feel loved, not being moved on.” “This is their home.”