LACKING only a name, the youth club at its first session at Old Landscore School in Crediton became a place of fun and achievement on Saturday, March 26. This is where Early Birds used to be, now owned by Crediton Town Council.
It has become a community centre with one big room and another smaller one with three sofas and bean bags, doors to the outside, plus a small kitchen and other facilities.
Community Youth Worker, Cath Kelly, explained that the Saturday gathering was an event to launch the Youth Club. There would be an after school session on Wednesdays for Years 6, 7 and 8 from 3.30pm to 6pm followed, at 7pm, by a Year 9+ Club.
“In time we also hope to open on Thursdays after school and Thursday evenings. Parents and carers can find out more on the Town Council’s website,” said Cath.
She lives in Crediton and her children go to school locally. She said: “It’s magical for me to be a youth worker in my own town.”
She has come back to youth work after a break of 15 years while her children were growing up.
“Some things in youth work haven’t changed at all, young people still need space to be and support to explore who they want to be.
“But some things have changed incredibly: there weren’t mobile phones in youth clubs 15 years ago, this changes some of the conversations we have with young people, especially about online safety.
“We are grateful for funding from the Lottery Awards For All, Devon Community Fund and Space Community Fund.
“For further information about the Youth Club please email: [email protected] ,” said Cath.
To find out more about hiring Old Landscore School for your community group please email Lisa Blake: [email protected] .
Helping that day with spray can work was Nick Halahan from Olas Art, based in Bristol.
He is a modern muralist and graffiti Art Tutor covering the UK, travelling to where he is needed, whether in the South West or Yorkshire.
He has worked at Queen Elizabeth’s School delivering workshops.
He also works with the NHS and young offenders.
As well as the signs and designs created outside on March 26, Nick had been working with the young people on recycling vinyl records, creating their own art work on the record.
One of the young people he was creating with was QE student Michael Dawson, aged 13 years, who has helped with the art inside the community centre. He would like to see a graffiti wall there that could be seen as people went past.
QE Year 13 student, August Shaw, who lives in Crediton is a Sessional Youth Worker at the centre and runs the LGBT club, Pride and Prejudice, at the QE Western Road site. She is seriously thinking of making youth work her career.
The Turning Tides Project, based at the Crediton Station Tea Rooms, is already a part of the youth centre and provided the lunch of thick soup and rolls, fruit and cakes.
• See more images from the Youth Club launch in the current issue of the Crediton Courier, on sale now!