Youth clubs of years gone by brought back to Southend with help of PFCC funding
Southend United Community Foundation has launched a traditional youth club for young people in the centre of the city with support from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
The youth hub will be held at Garon Park, between 5pm and 7pm on Thursdays and offers indoor and outdoor activities to keep young people occupied.
Young people, age eight to 18, can take part in football, table tennis, listen to music, watch YouTube videos on a TV or play board games or PlayStation together.
In future, there will also be education-based workshops on offer on topics such as gambling, and the opportunity to complete FA Playmaker, the free entry-level football course.
With access to Southend United players and tickets to games, it is hoped the club will be a popular draw to young people.
The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex (PFCC) contributed £20,000 to Southend United Community & Educational Trust in the form of a crime and disorder reduction grant from the 2023-2024 Community Safety Development Fund to support the work.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “While there is nothing to say young people would enter a life of crime or be drawn into exploitation if left to their own devices, we know there is a stronger likelihood of that happening if they are not given positive activities to take part in and strong role models to look up to. Opportunities to join youth clubs can prove vital in providing what our young people need to keep them on the path to a bright future.”
Kylie Halls, chief operating officer, said: “We realised the youth provision was missing in and around the Southend area. Although we run lots of sessions for that age group, we felt there was not necessarily something like the youth clubs of old. We are looking to bring that back.
“We are targeting the central area of Southend where there are more vulnerable and at-risk children and young people, so they need somewhere safe, warm and inclusive to come and chill out and take part in positive activities.
“This work helps to target anti-social behaviour in the area. We want to provide a positive focus, so that anti-social behaviour is reduced. We are here to prevent people from possibly going into youth crime or exploitation.
“We are very community based. Having that impact in the community and being that organisation is making a difference to people. To see young people go on this journey is really positive for us. We can see they get a real focus and positive outlook on life and want to be achieving something.”
Of the PFCC funding, which is being used for coaching, staff, venue hire, guest speakers and workshops, Kylie said: “It is fantastic to have this amount of funding as it’s not that often you can get that these days.
“As a charity, we rely heavily on funding and we would not be able to run sessions without it.
“It’s fantastic to have this support behind us. It shows we are offering what we should be. We are always having conversations with young people to ensure we are offering what they want.”
Contact youthengagement@southendunited-cet.co.uk to sign your child up for the youth club.