We have been working towards raising funding to purchase a local piece of woodland with the vision of this becoming our base as opposed to a rented building in the city centre. This will significantly reduce our future running costs as we will be able to offer almost all of our intended programmes on site and once purchased will not incur continuous rental fees or service charges.

Recently it seems as though our prayers have been answered as we have been given a fantastic opportunity of purchasing the perfect piece of land located in Swiss Valley, close to the Upper Lliedi reservoir.

Some of our plans for this area are:

To have a small area for camping.

To have some livestock, a few chickens, ducks, possibly a goat named Billie! To teach respect and care for these animals, a source of organic, free range food that could also be sold to generate revenue.

Clearing an area and having a poly tunnel/green house for growing organic fruit and vegetables and to teach the process. Also potential to raise revenue through the sale of these items. ( A large poly tunnel for growing vegetables is already on site!)

Applying for Forestry Rights, plant an orchard, fruit bushes and flowers.

To build a small tree-house, a couple of natural shelters, have a rope swing, teach these young men how to put up a tent, light a fire, climb a tree, plant a seed, tie a hook and catch a fish.

The area is amazingly beautiful! There is a small pond on site with an array of wildlife, little lizards and newts climb amongst the reeds, wild geese call overhead, bees the size of drones bumble about their business and foxes roam the perimeter by night!

A perfect place for these young men to experience nature as apposed to watching it on a screen.

Over the past 2 years we have made great progress in raising awareness of the huge implications growing up without a positive same-sex role model has upon these young men. We have undertaken many small, successful fundraising campaigns, organised and hosted various activities and events, gained attention from local and national media and become affiliated with various local authorities, businesses and organisations.

Through the programmes we have previously undertaken we were able to identify and assist with some of the issues these young men are facing and as a result work towards helping them to develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society maturely, responsibly and respectfully.

The average age of our attendees is around 12 years old and we have been fortunate enough to assist a diverse range of young men from various locations encompassing South and West Wales.

These young men will be the fathers, police officers and politicians of the future, all of whom are a credit to the single mothers who raise them alone. We want to continue to assist them in creating a positive, natural and sustainable ethos.

We are a very small organisation and at present we have no regular funding or official sponsor and rely entirely on funds raised by myself, some close friends and family members, some amazing volunteers and kind donations from members of the public when we are able to organise fundraising campaigns. As a result we need all the help and support we can generate...

Thank you for your time!

Jason Jackson

Lads Without Dads