Hungerford Youth and Community Centre offer a large flexible space, suitable for a variety of uses, such as activity space for youth clubs, coffee mornings, dances, staged events. They also offer a community hall available to hire at reasonable rates.
Following a successful pitch at Greenham Trust’s Pitch To The Panel event in 2017, Hungerford Youth and Community Centre were able to complete their kitchen project which enabled them to teach basic cooking skills to young people and host healthy food projects for the local community. It has widely been used by the Youth Clubs to promote healthy eating and provide constructive activities which the members enjoy.
Whilst their kitchen continues to serve its great purpose, a need was identified for a youth worker to provide more youth club sessions for young people and a project coordinator who will liaise with other organisations and arrange groups of young people to take part in courses and outings.
In Hungerford, a series of recent incidents of antisocial and criminal behaviour from young people aged 14 to 16 highlighted a pressing need for more youth sessions to keep these young people safeguarded and engaged. This project will provide them with two additional evenings when the Centre will be open for them.
Greenham Trust has proudly supported Hungerford Youth and Community Centre for several years and will continue to do so with a Grant of £30,000 towards the running costs of the Centre including salaries and training of a youth worker and project coordinator for the next 3 years. In addition to the 3-year funding grant, the project will benefit from £5000 of Trust Top Up – matched funding from Greenham Trust against company and personal donations.
Charlie Barr, Clerk of Hungerford Youth and Community Centre says:
“This project is a key priority for us because, since 2012 when funding was cut by 100% by West Berkshire Council, it has been impossible to provide young people with adequate support. Employing a Youth Worker will go a long way to making sure the Youth Centre is used in the way it was originally intended: to give a safe space for young people to call their own.”
Jaz Ghalley, Grant Administrator at Greenham Trust recently visited Hungerford Youth and Community Centre to present them with a cheque for £10,000 representing the first year’s funding.
Chris Boulton, Chief Executive of Greenham Trust said, “We are delighted to fund this worthwhile cause and help provide much needed support and activities for young people in Hungerford”.
Further information about this project can be found on www.thegoodexchange.com. If you would like to donate to the project and help Hungerford Youth and Community Centre reach their fundraising target please visit: https://app.thegoodexchange.com/project/15976/hungerford-youth-and-community/employing-a-youth-worker-for-3-years.
