THE VENTURE (WREXHAM) LIMITED

THE VENTURE (WREXHAM) LIMITED is a registered charity in the United Kingdom, with the charity number 1153454. It is based in Caia Park, Wrexham, which is the largest council housing estate in Wales and has the highest levels of child poverty in the country[1][2].

History and Development

The Venture began in 1978 when local young people helped build an adventure playground on a semi-official rubbish tip. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the UK’s leading local children, young people, and family organizations[1]. The organization was adopted by the Welsh Government in 2005 as its model for Integrated Children’s Centres across Wales. Additionally, it has been adopted in Scotland for working with substance-abusing families and in England for its model of adventure playgrounds[1].

Activities and Services

The Venture provides a wide array of community-based services, including:

• Early Years and Playwork: Offers play-based activities aimed at developing children's skills through recreation and leisure.
• Health and Education: Focuses on enhancing the well-being and educational opportunities of children and young people.
• Youth Work: Supports young people's personal development and participation in society.
• Community Events and Sport: Organizes community activities and sports to foster integration and recreation.
• Community Café and Environmental Improvements: Provides amenities and works on environmental enhancements for the local community[1][2].

Governance and Funding

The Venture is a company limited by guarantee and is funded from a variety of sources. It does not have any trading subsidiaries, and no trustees receive remuneration from the charity[2][4]. In recent years, the charity has reported a total income of £392,815 and total expenditure of £367,564 for the financial year ending March 2023[2].

Grants and Recognition

The Venture has received several grants from organizations such as The Henry Smith Charity and The National Lottery Community Fund, totaling over £585,000 since 2013[5]. It has been studied and praised by several universities and national children's organizations for its community-focused model[1]. The organization is highly regarded, with the Secretary of State for Wales naming it as "one of the best children's organisations in the country, if not in Europe"[1].

[1] https://www.theventure.wales [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5030604/charity-overview [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5030604/contact-information [4] https://www.theventure.wales/about [5] https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-1153454