Young people are set to benefit from a £25,000 investment in Bingham’s youth service.
PREPARING to extend Bingham’s youth service provision are, left to right, support worker Louise Copping, youth worker Matthew Trickett, and support worker Samantha Hammond. (110213DP1-8)
The Young People’s Centre, on The Banks, which provides activities for those aged ten to 19, will be refurbished over the coming weeks.
Workers will spend around three weeks installing new ceilings, flooring and a kitchen area.
It will run five sessions a week after the Easter holidays, including Fridays from 6.30pm until 9.30pm.
A mobile unit session is planned on Thursdays, from 7pm to 9pm.
Youth worker Mr Matthew Trickett said: “Like most people, Friday night is often seen as a going-out night. It’s the end of the school week so to be able to open on a Friday will be fantastic.”
At present, the Nottinghamshire County Council centre opens on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The service has employed a fourth youth support worker, David Bates, who will start work after the Easter holidays.
He will join Mr Trickett, and three youth support workers, Louise Copping, Samantha Hammond and Viv Lambelle.
Around 30 young people attend sessions, which include a pool table, table football, table tennis, television and games consoles and a café/kitchen area where young people can volunteer.
Recent activities included pancake making and a Valentine’s-themed discussion about relationships.
Mr Trickett said the centre tried to balance regular activities such as pool, table tennis, gaming, and arts and crafts with themed activities.
An artist will visit the centre in the coming weeks to update the graffiti-style artwork on the walls.
“It is something they enjoy,” said Mr Trickett. “Different young people get different things out of it.
“Some people want to come in and use the table tennis table, others want to talk to the youth workers because they have got issues going on in their lives.”
Matthew said all the staff and young people were excited about the refurbishment and the new sessions.
Seven young people volunteer at the centre’s café, including 17-year-old Summer Campbell, who has been attending for two years.
Matthew said volunteering at the centre was good experience for those interested in youth work as a career.
The extended hours mean Bingham youth centre will open on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 6.45pm to 9.15pm, Wednesdays, from 7pm to 9.30pm, and Fridays from 6.30pm to 9pm. A mobile youth vehicle will operate on Thursdays, from 7pm to 9pm.
