A youth club in Abergele is celebrating after securing a grant for a makeover.
The club in Market Street will be spruced up thanks to a £940 contribution from the Community Chest fund administered by the housing association, Cartrefi Conwy.
They will use the money to revamp the coffee bar, create a new tuck shop area and install a flat screen TV.
Youth worker Collette Gaskell says the Community Chest grant means Youth Club members will now be able to enjoy better facilities in a more welcoming environment.
She said: “We hold sessions between 4pm and 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays for young people aged between 11 and 13 and sessions between 7pm and 9pm on the same days for young people aged 14 and upwards.
“We normally see more than 25 youngsters attending each session and it is important we continue to improve the facilities on offer.
“There is no way we could afford to complete this work without the help of the grant from Cartrefi Conwy’s Community Chest.
“The building is used by other community groups too and every user will benefit from the improvements we plan to make.”
“It is important we continue to engage with the young people of Abergele. It is all about building communities and providing somewhere for young people to gather and enjoy time together in a safe and secure environment.
“Thanks to Cartrefi Conwy and the Community Chest panel members who awarded us this cash, our young people can see that they are valued and their community cares about them.”
Cartrefi Conwy Community Involvement Manager Phil Jones is delighted the Community Chest panel, which includes tenants of the social landlord, agreed to help the Youth Club with the award of a grant.
He said: “The Youth Club applied for a Community Chest grant and the panel, which is largely made up of Cartrefi Conwy tenants, had no hesitation in awarding a grant to cover the cost of the improvements.
“We are committed to creating communities to be proud of. Some, but not all, of the members of Abergele Youth Club live in Cartrefi Conwy social housing accommodation.
“However, it doesn’t matter because this is about the whole community and ensuring the young people who attend Abergele Youth Club feel valued.”
Community Chest panel members and Cartrefi Conwy tenants, Sylvia Duxbury and David Lloyd-Williams, say they had absolutely no hesitation in agreeing to the application for financial help.
Sylvia said: “I am delighted we have been able to help Abergele Youth Club and all the wonderful young people who are members with the award of this grant.
“It is important we build communities we can be proud of and I am sure the young people will be delighted with the planed improvements.”
David added: “I feel it is so important tenants have a say when it comes to where funds are directed.
“We had no hesitation whatsoever in supporting this application and I hope the Youth Club members see a real benefit for years to come from the improvements they can now afford to make.”
Youth Club members Rhiannon Davies, 12, who attends Emrys ap Iwan High School and Lois Green, 11, who attends Creuddyn High School, both of Abergele, were very grateful.
Rhiannon said: “I have been coming since I was able to after my 11th birthday. I love it and come every Tuesday and Thursday and really look forward to it.
“It will be ace to have a new coffee bar, tuck shop and telly. Without the Youth Club I’d be lost and have nothing to do. It’s really kind of Cartrefi Conwy to give us funds so we can do the work.”
Lois added: “I started coming to Youth Club as soon as I was allowed. I love it and its really cool they have given us some money to do the alterations and buy a flat screen telly.
“It’s better coming to Youth Club to meet friends than hanging around the streets.”
For more information about the Community Chest fund and how to apply please contact Phil Jones, Cartrefi Conwy’s Community Involvement Manager by ringing him on 07733 012495 or emailing him at [email protected]
