Closure of a youth club

SIR – Your report (September 29) about young victims of violence prompts me to write about a small inner-city youth club that we had to close this year when our attempts to attract funding failed – after 40 years.

We were open only two evenings a week and could not compete for funding with the bigger clubs. And yet for local youngsters the club was an undeniable success. They were attracted by the friendly atmosphere created by our dedicated youth workers and volunteers, and by all the help they received in preparing for their adult years and learning to make healthy relationships.

I fear that all too many small youth clubs have had to close for lack of financial support, which is a crying shame, given the evident need.

Our own club started as a direct result of a youth-on-youth murder in our streets, and weaning youngsters off a gangs and drugs lifestyle was a major part of our activities. Guido Waldman

London N1