News

On Tuesday 21^st February the kids of Poole Old Town will get a new Youth Club.  Held every Tuesday evening from 8pm to 9:30pm at the United Reformed Church in Skinner Street, the club is for 11-17 year olds and costs just 50p each time.

Poole Housing Partnership’s Housing Officer for Poole Old Town, Donna Saunders, was actively involved in getting the Youth Club up and running.  She said: “We had a lot of complaints about anti-social behaviour in the area, caused by a lack of youth facilities in the town centre and local children saying they had nothing to do in their spare time.  By working together with various partners across the Borough, we’ve created this youth club as a solution to the issues that concerned local residents and given the kids a place they can call their own.”

The club has been made possible thanks to funding from Poole Housing Partnership, Poole Town Centre Management, Skinner Street United Reformed Church and Sunseeker International. 

Town Centre Manager Helen Crawford, who helped secure some of the necessary funding, said: “We hope this is just the start of it for Poole Town Youth Club.  With extra funding from the Borough of Poole and other local businesses on the way, the club can offer kids activities such as rock climbing, streetdance and film projects.  I think it’s great.  It’s a place where kids can come and join in activities, keeping them amused, active and off the streets.  We’re proud to be part of it.”

Sgt Mike Kynaston, from Dorset Police, said: “The Youth Club gives the kids of Poole Old Town somewhere to go and tackles the issue of anti-social behaviour in a positive and proactive way.  This is a great initiative for engaging young people, giving them an alternative to hanging around the streets.”

For younger kids the Pilot Club meets from 6pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday, before the Youth Club opens.  The Pilot Club is for 5-11 year olds and is run by the church.

The Youth Club is a registered charity and relies on donations, funding and volunteers to make it happen.  There are Parent Representatives who come along to run and supervise the sessions.  If you would like to be involved with Poole Old Town Youth Club as a Parent Representative, would like to make a donation or simply want more information, please contact Donna Saunders on 01202 264414.