Volunteers needed before Westbury youth club can open its doors

A BRAND new youth club in Westbury had to postpone its official opening due to a lack of volunteers, but organisers are still hopeful the club will be a success.

The youth club which was set to launch earlier this month had to delay the opening until more volunteers come forward to help run activities and sessions.

Leigh Park Community Centre Manager, Debbie Cole said, “It is unfortunate that we had to delay the launch of the youth club, but already a few positive people have started coming forward which is great so hopefully we will be able to have an open day very soon.

“The equipment has been bought and we are ready to run the sessions for ages 11 to 18 as soon as we have enough volunteers who are DBS checked.”

Westbury’s new Locality Youth Facilitator (LYF) Janette Bowra is confident that the youth club will be a success, as long as it has the support of the community.

Janette said, “The key to the success of the group is the community – it can only work through the support of volunteers. The local youth network and Area Board responded to what young people told them they wanted, we have a venue, we’ve got the money and now it is over to the community to make sure it thrives and survives.”

Janette who was appointed as the LYF for Westbury in July is looking forward to her new role within the community.

She said, “My role is to support, develop and strengthen the local youth network in both the Warminster and Westbury areas.

“I’m putting together a directory of services and activities for young people aged 13-19 or up to 25 if they are disabled or have special educational needs so young people and their parents know what is available in their area.

“I will also be promoting activities for young people that already take place at venues like the Leigh Park Community Centre. I will be visiting  schools to talk about the various activities children  can get involved with, in particular the local youth network.

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting new people and getting to know the community. My role is to bring people and the community together and I look forward to seeing the community flourish.”

If you are interested in volunteering at the youth club to be held at Leigh Park Community Centre on Wednesdays 4.30pm to 6.30pm for ages 11 to 13 and 7pm to 9pm for ages 14 to 18 then please contact Debbie at Leigh Park Community Centre on telephone number 01373 825774 or by email to leighparkcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk