Over The Wall Camp Chosen as Katapult’s Helping Hands Project 2026

We are proud to announce that the national children’s charity Over The Wall Camp has been selected as the beneficiary of their 2026 Helping Hands initiative.

As part of the project, Katapult will provide £15,000 worth of pro-bono creative design expertise to help Over The Wall Camp reimagine their newly acquired permanent home: the historic 17-acre former Ockbrook School campus in Derbyshire.

About Over The Wall Camp

Founded by Hollywood legend Paul Newman and UK businessman Joe Woods in 1999, Over The Wall Camp provides free, transformational residential camps for children and young people (aged 8-17) facing serious health challenges. For many of the 50,000 children in the UK living with limiting health conditions, life is often defined by hospital visits and the isolation of being "different."

Over The Wall Camp changes that narrative through its unique Therapeutic Recreation model. By providing a medically safe environment supported by a volunteer team of doctors and nurses, the charity allows children to step outside their comfort zones through archery, climbing, and "mischief." This "Challenge by Choice" approach helps campers rediscover their confidence, resilience, and the simple joy of being a child.

After 25 years of operating as a travelling camp across rented sites, the move to the Ockbrook campus in Derbyshire - a stunning 18th-century settlement - allows the charity to create a world-class, purpose-built facility that will quadruple the number of children they can support.

A Partnership of ‘Mischief and Magic’

Katapult’s "Helping Hands" initiative, now in its eighth year, was established to support non-profits and community projects in the leisure and attractions industry. 

By partnering with Over The Wall Camp, Katapult will use its expertise in guest experience and masterplanning to ensure the new campus isn’t just a medical facility, but a place of "mischief and magic."

Dawn Foote, CEO and Co-Founder of Katapult, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Over The Wall Camp to our Helping Hands family for 2026. Their mission to empower children through play and adventure aligns perfectly with our own passion for creating meaningful experiences. Working on the Ockbrook campus is a unique opportunity to blend heritage preservation with cutting-edge inclusive design. We can’t wait to help them turn this historic site into a beacon of joy for families across the UK."

Shea Donovan, Chief Operating Officer at Over The Wall Camp, added: "Securing the Ockbrook site is the start of a new era for us. Having the creative minds at Katapult join us on this journey is incredible. Their expertise will be vital in helping us reimagine how our campers interact with the site, ensuring that every corner of the new campus inspires confidence and provides the magical escape our children deserve."

https://vimeo.com/1142018147

The collaboration has focussed on bringing the narrative of the site together, as well as creating iconic experiences that the first campers will enjoy when the gates open in Summer 2026.

Our Helping Hands initiative

Since 2018, Katapult has supported charities and community organisations to bring their projects to reality. Chosen organisations were given access to Katapult’s insights, design and creative production expertise, with previous winners including: Cromford Mills, National Food Museum, Findern School, Down to Earth, Zooatronic and a Theme Park Designer Competition for kids during the 2020 Covid pandemic.