Latest news with #youthcentre
BBC News
13 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Calls for disused fire station to be converted into youth centre
A town councillor is calling for a disused fire station to be turned into a dedicated youth centre under plans to "reduce anti-social behaviour".The proposal would see The Old Fire and Ambulance building in Calne, Wiltshire, converted into a "vibrant hub" that could host activities and workshops for young Orrey Pike said plans were in its "very early" stages."Empty buildings are a wasted opportunity but even worse is leaving our young people with nowhere to go," he said. In 2023, Calne Town Council took control of the derelict Grade II listed building from Wiltshire Council and revealed plans for a £250,000 revamp of the the time it was suggested the space could be used by community groups, however the building has continued to deteriorate over time. Mr Pike said turning the site into a youth club could help reduce anti-social behaviour in the town."We can give them [young people] a space to learn, socialise, and develop skills in a safe and supervised setting."We want to give young people something to do and look to reduce crime."It is unclear where funding for the refurbishment would come from and feasibility studies are yet to be discussed. 'Action, not words' Calls for more local youth provision have been echoed by Wiltshire Youth for Christ, a faith-based youth and community organisation."There aren't the resources and opportunities for young people that there used to be," said youth worker, Steve Dewar welcomed the idea to transform the old building into a youth hub, but said it needs to be followed by action."It's great when a town says 'we're going to do something about it', but we don't need words, we need action," he said.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Beverley youth hub built by DIY SOS responds to vandalism rumours
The leaders of a new youth centre built by DIY SOS volunteers said false rumours of vandalism had led to a stream of "awful" comments Saturday, an exercise machine left outside the Cherry Tree Centre in Beverley was mistaken for vandalism of new gym equipment, which was installed last people took to social media suggesting vandalism had been inevitable, describing the building of the centre as a "waste of time and money". Centre manager Jo Ramsay said no vandalism had taken place and young people deserved better than to be labelled as "scum" who did not deserve their new youth hub. "If you walked in our shoes and see the difference that we can make to these young people, everyone deserves chances," Ms Ramsay said she felt "sad and gutted" after a picture of the exercise machine attracted more than 100 comments on Facebook, including "kids have no respect for anything or anyone" and "that's what they get for putting a youth centre on an estate".The Cherry Tree Youth Hub was built by volunteers in May with support from the BBC television show DIY recent years, youth workers had been supporting young people in the Swinemoor area of the town out of gazebos and car new building has a kitchen, a laundry room, toilets and areas for young people to relax and take part in inspectors and Humberside Fire and Rescue still need to sign off the building before it can be opened but Ms Ramsay said young people were gathering in the park in greater numbers as enthusiasm for the facility was growing."It's excitement and they just can't wait to start using the youth hub. "We are here for an opportunity and for chances, not to have negativity like this."The team is hoping to have the hub open before the summer to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Inner-city youth centre to open 24 hours during summer
An inner-city youth centre will expand its operations to be open at all hours of the day during the summer. Rossbrook House announced it will be open 24 hours from June 27 until August 30. Located at the corner of Ross Avenue and Sherbrook Street, the neighbourhood drop-in centre provides safety, acceptance, programs and daily meals for up to 80 participants a day, according to a media release. The centre said it strives to 'always be a safe place for children and youth every day and 24 hours all summer long.' Programming will include a playroom for ages six to 11, camp for youth aged 12 and older, crafts, games, trips to the beach, and outings to local parks and pools. This will be the 49th year the centre has kept its doors open 24 hours throughout the summer months. Over 1,000 kids and young adults, aged six to 24, come through the centre's doors annually, according to its website. Rossbrook House has also called on the public to help ensure the longevity of its programs by making a financial donation. More information can be found on the centre's website.
CBC
22-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Multi-purpose centre in Tasiujaq, Que., destroyed by fire
Tasiujaq, Que., has lost one of its oldest buildings to a fire — a facility used for sewing programs, as a youth centre and as housing for transient workers. The blaze, which began around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, tore through the multi-purpose facility, which was also once the village's school. Mayor Tommy Annanack said they deployed all the community's resources to try to put out the flames but were unsuccessful. "Water trucks, loaders and fire trucks were on site. All the firefighters and more were on site to try to put the fire out as well. They tried everything they could, but they could not put the fire out, it was too strong," he said in Inuktitut. "People went to school there in the 1970s and '80s. It brought back so many memories for many people." Nobody was inside the building at the time of the fire, but Annanack said a lot of equipment, including sewing materials, was lost in the flames.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Chard could lose 70-year-old youth club as charity folds
A Somerset youth centre which has been welcoming young people for more than 70 years could have to charity which runs Chard Youth Centre, said it was no longer financially trustees of Chard Area Youth Committee said it was a "heart-wrenching" decision to potentially close the centre which started operating for local young people in centre will currently hold its final youth sessions in July. The charity which is made up of seven trustees, was set up in 2019 to run the centre when Somerset County Council ended funding youth services in O'Brien, chair of the Chard Area Youth Committee, said it was a "very sad meeting" when the decision was taken to close the said it had relied on other groups hiring the building to help cover the costs - but after the Covid-19 pandemic they didn't have enough private hire bookings to help pay for the building, a situation not helped by rising utility bills."It's a beautiful old building and it's just ideal for young people, but its an issue of sustainability," Ms O'Brien said."We have tried everything in our power to avoid closing it," she said - adding the response from the community since announcing the charity's closure had been "wonderful." "They're all very sad that it's happened but very understanding because it's a sign of the times," said Ms O'Brien. Active Learning Skills runs sessions at the centre, commissioned by Chard Area Youth May, director, Active Learning and Skills said he was "hugely saddened" by the news the centre would be closing."We would like to thank the committee most sincerely for their incredibly hard work in challenging times over the years, and for their partnership in enabling our services to be used by between 300-500 young people and children per year, in recent years," said Mr May. Possible new support He described the club as a "super venue" with good facilities where young people could make new friends."Importantly though, what is also provided is more than just a space to have fun and a good social time, but also support in dealing with problems and crisis."{it offered] Chances to try new things, learning and help on issues affecting them, developing life skills and understanding of the world around them, plus opportunities to get involved in their community," Mr May things stand, the final session for young people will be on 18 a meeting on Monday night, Chard Town Council agreed to set up a steering group to try and support future youth services across the discussion was held in a confidential part of the meeting, but councillors agreed in principle that it needs to have an input in youth services for Chard.
