Youth club funding
Published
Tuesday 21 May, 2024
Updated
Sunday 16 June, 2024
Youth engagement is key to reducing levels of anti-social behaviour which is why we set aside a sizeable portion of our Safer Streets funding to help support a youth club within Sheerness.
Vibe's Sheerness Youth Club has been able to put on two sessions every week for young people on the island to meet, have fun and receive support from youth workers since October last year.
Our funding has enabled them to host two age specific sessions creating a safe space for both younger (8-12) and older (13-16) children, creating a tailored and effective experience for both.
These sessions run every Thursday evening, from 4pm to 6pm for younger kids and 6pm to 8pm for older children and will be funded by our safer streets project until March 2025.
The club, hosted in the Sheerness County Youth Centre, boasts a wide range of exciting activities including pool tables, table tennis, Xbox and Wii gaming, a radio room, darts, a DJ area, and even a stage for budding performers.
The club also provides a free meal to the over 40 children on average who come to each session, to make sure those who attend don’t go hungry.
The funding enabled Vibe to recruit an additional female youth worker to support the young girls in the club, providing a mentor they can relate to and who understands the unique challenges and experiences they face.
The department head for Vibe Community Charity, Tanya Mitchell, explained how the club is run by a passionate and qualified team working to create a safe and inclusive space for everyone.
Tanya said: “It's great news that the Safer Streets initiative has provided the necessary support and capacity to continue offering this valued club despite the withdrawal of the KCC commissioned service.
Adding: “Sustaining these clubs is crucial for the well-being and engagement of young people.”
We worked with the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, through the Community Safety Partnership, to secure £265,616 from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund, which funded these initiatives.
