Often young people just want somewhere they can meet their friends.  If there isn't anywhere specific for them to do this they'll go for the next option - meeting at a central point or somewhere familiar to them all.  This could be a bus shelter, bench, outside the shop, or just the corner of a road and this can be intimidating to others.

SUMMER WORKSHOP HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES - Looking for something to do during the summer holidays? To download a description of activities please click here.

Young people need to socialise as part of their normal growth and development.  And yes sometimes they do get too boisterous and show off inappropriately in front of their peers.  But it is much better for them to do this in a designated space out of harm's way, than to try and stop them gathering outside shops or bus shelters and asking the police to move them on.

Youth shelters can be part of the solution, but ideally we would also like to give the young people a drop in centre.  Please read on as this can only happen if local residents will give young people a chance.

What's the problem?

Young people resent being grouped together and seen as a problem as the result of the behaviour of a few.

Young people are a vital part of our community and they want to be involved in finding solutions to the problems created by others.

Young people need to socialise and become integrated into their community.  Ignoring their needs can lead to unnecessary problems.  If we don't cater for our young people, of all ages, they'll continue to meet in places not intended for this use.

What about a youth club/Drop in centre?

The Parish Council are working with the Police Community Support Officers to see if there is enough support from residents to supervise a drop in centre in the village hall once a week.  A safe place for the young people to drop by, have a game of pool, listen to music, buy a pepsi and chill out.  This is now running, see below.

The Village Hall is now open on Wednesday evenings for the Drop in Centre.

During Term the open times are:

Children of primary school and secondary school age 6.30pm -7.30pm

Secondary school only from

7.30pm-8.30pm

ONLY 50p a SESSION

Play a game of pool, darts,

Table tennis and table football.

 Bring your own CDs, we have a sound system.

Drinks and snacks available.

Volunteers are vital to make this happen, even if you can spare even an hour please contact Cathy 01572 767519.