Celebrating a successful summer for young people
CHELTENHAM’S mayor, Councillor Sandra Holliday, vistied the Brizen Young People’s Centre on Up Hatherley Way, to celebrate the success of a Summer Youth Activity Programme held there.
The scheme, which ran on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays over the summer holidays provided free activities and lunch for young people between 12 and 16.
The mayor said; “It’s been great to see the activities provided and everyone attending seems to have really enjoyed it.”
Borough councillor Tony Oliver, who promoted the scheme, said: “This is a great example of local stakeholders coming together to provide funding for the scheme.
“We had contributions from both the Leckhampton with Warden Hill and Up Hatherley Parish Councils, Gloucestershire County Council, The Police Commissioner’s Fund and The Brizen Young People’s Centre, but our key sponsor this year was Atkins Global, who contributed £12,000 towards the cost of running the programme and for new equipment and also provided volunteers to help run the sessions.
“A few years ago we recognised that there were issues with anti-social behaviour in our area and wanted to provide positive activities to keep young people engaged over the summer holidays.
“Most areas of local government have tightening budgets and struggle to fund schemes like this, but Atkins involvement and support has been crucial in making this such a success and I hope we can work together to make this even better next year.”
Lyam Galpin, of Springbank Community Group, who ran the programme, also runs weekly youth club sessions from the Brizen Young People’s Centre on Monday and Friday evenings. The senior sessions are for 12 year olds and over, and run from 6pm 8pm on Mondays, whilst the Junior Sessions are for eight to 11 year olds and run from 5pm - 7pm on Fridays.