THE future of Westbury Youth Club is under threat again as a lack of volunteers is forcing the club to discuss permanent closure, despite National Lottery funding to help pay for staff.
Westbury Youth Club opened in November 2016 when it replaced the former youth club ‘The Youthie’, which closed in 2014. However, the club was forced to close temporarily in June 2017 due to a lack of volunteers.
After a successful recruitment drive, the club reopened in September 2017, and continued to have a successful first year.
But sadly, they find themselves short of volunteers again, this time facing the possibility of permanent closure.
The club has recently received National Lottery funding of £10,000 in order to pay youth club leaders to encourage applications to save the club, but the youth club may have to return the money due to minimal applications.
Youth club leader, Beth Mullins-Watts said, “We applied for the National Lottery grant as we are struggling with volunteers to come forward and offer their time. We hoped if we made the role a paid one, this would encourage more people to come forward and secure the future of the club.
“The National Lottery believed in the youth club and saw it as something they would like to support to keep running. We have carried out a massive campaign for paid staff and volunteers, even extending the closing date. We had a lot of enquires, but it saddens me to say we’ve only had one completed application returned to us and the deadline has passed.
“Due to a lack of volunteers and staff coming forward, it is looking likely that we will need to return the grant back to the National Lottery. Without the support of volunteers and/or paid staff, we will be unable to re-open the youth club.
“There is a need for the club in Westbury and our members have expressed sadness at it being closed. The club offers the young people of Westbury somewhere safe to go where they can learn new skills and hang out with friends outside of the school environment.
“It will be a great shame if the club was to close its doors permanently – especially with an organisation as big as the National Lottery supporting us. A trustee meeting is being held this month where a final decision will be made. We have 42 registered members and on average 30 members each week. We’ve just changed nights to a Thursday from a Wednesday to use the bigger hall, as there is a huge demand for the club.
“As for volunteers/staff we are looking to recruit five in addition to our current five, to allow for staff sickness and holiday. With 10 staff/volunteers this will ensure we have enough staff each session to run safely and effectively.”
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like more information about paid roles or the club, please contact Beth, the club leader on westburyyouthclub@gmail. com or visit during their sessions that run from 6pm-8pm on Thursdays.
