The Canberra Centre will start seeing young people back through its doors this week after a closure period of over a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
4Youth (South West) is re-opening their Melksham Youth Clubs at the centre in line with National Youth Agency and Government guidelines.
4Youth plans to re-open their Monday No limits (SEND), their Wednesday Youth Club and their Thursday Youth Club, however unfortunately, the Tuesday Club night wont re-open until changes in social distancing rules make this viable.
Jack Oatley, youth centre coordinator for Melksham said, “I am over the moon that we can start re-opening our youth clubs and allow young people to socialise with peers and engage with youth workers in Melksham’s dedicated youth centre.
“Young people’s mental health has been affected by Covid and lockdowns, and we need to work with our young people, and start to bring back a sense of normality so that they can build back up their self-esteem and mental health”.
Chair of 4Youth, Jon Hubbard, added, “In order to make things as safe as possible there will be some slight changes as we re-open our clubs.
“For now, we will have to limit the number of young people who are attending our clubs to comply with social distancing rules.
“To avoid disappointment and having to turn young people away we are asking users to reserve a space at one of our clubs in advance. This can be quickly and easily done via our website at 4youth.org.uk/youth-clubs.”
Throughout the last year, the 4Youth Youth Work Team has been out in the community conducting detached youth work, approaching, and engaging with young people, checking on their wellbeing and informing and educating young people on lockdown guidelines.
Canberra Centre co-ordinator Jack Oatley added, “We are so excited to finally welcome young people back into the Youth Centre. This is what we are here for and it will be fantastic to be working with our young people again in Canberra.”
All information on clubs and detached youth work, and Covid procedures can be found on the 4Youth website at 4youth.org.uk or follow Young Melksham on social media.