Charity’s plea for volunteers to help revamp new base

Children’s charity Over the Wall is calling on fellow Bondholders to take part in a corporate volunteering event to help spruce up its new Derbyshire headquarters.

The charity provides a safe environment where children and young people with serious illness and disabilities can build their confidence and self-esteem.

Earlier this year, it acquired the long-term lease on the former Ockbrook School, near Derby, which will become its new headquarters and future base for its award-winning residential and other programmes.

But the site needs a complete revamp – and the charity is now appealing to Bondholders for help.

It has organised two corporate volunteering days, which will take place on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September.

People are needed to help with a range of activities, including gathering, sorting and creating an inventory of different items around the site.

Volunteers are also being called upon to do a range of outdoor jobs, such as gardening and painting.

In a statement, Over the Wall said: “Over the Wall is a charity for children and young people with health challenges and disabilities to discover a world of mischief and magic.

“For 25 years we have provided a safe place to step outside of comfort zones, establish friendships and build confidence through meaningful and exciting activities.

“We have a lot of work to do to make the Ockbrook site ‘camp ready’ for opening in 2026, which will then be followed by further phased development to make this a world-class site for our transformational services.

“We’d love for you to join us for a corporate volunteering day and be a part of this journey.”

People are welcome to come to either one or both days – and lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Over the Wall has also said it is happy to set up bespoke days for organisations who wish to bring a large group of volunteers.

For more information and to sign up as a volunteer e-mail eve.edwards@otw.org.uk.