Wellington’s Youth Centre, threatened with closure only six months ago, is now proudly standing on its own two feet and holding an open evening from 7pm-9pm on Friday, Nov 7th. The centre has been running for 43 years.
“It’s the first time we’ve opened the doors to the public but we wanted to invite people from the town and come in and see a great and much-loved facility that Wellington has saved,” said youth worker Lisa Snowdon-Carr. “The work that’s done here was too important to just let the centre die.”
When Somerset County Council wielded the axe and cut out all youth services earlier this year, the future looked grim for WYC. What saved the day was a combined effort from the town council, charities in the community such as Rotary, and a grant from SCC.
Lisa and her two colleagues Sophia Roper and Ben Orszag-Land formed a community interest company called Revive Youth and set out to save their jobs – and a vital service to almost 100 young people who regularly use the centre.
“It liberated us in a way,” said Lisa. “We can now make decisions quickly and do what needs to be done.” Rotary donated £4,500 to the centre, proceeds of the spring book sale, and SCC made a £36,000 grant.” Revive also earns fees by providing support services for some Courtfields pupils.
On the evening that Around Wellington visited the centre there was an eager throng of young people at the doors 15 minutes before the 7pm opening time. Regular sessions are 7pm -9pm on Tuesday and Thursday with an after-school Catapult Café from 3.15 to 5.30pm.
More information at WYC online