Registered Charity No. 520735
Blaydon Youth Club in the Borough of
Gateshead is a busy and well used
community facility.
The philosophy that it is more
important to take part than to win is
one, which is embraced by the club,
although many skilled individuals and
teams have reached national finals in
a
variety of sports.
There are also opportunities for
adults
to use the facilities. Age Concern
provide an Active into Age exercise
class for over 55s, Community Link use
our centre alternate Friday
afternoons.
Two essential services that we offer
to our community are Blaydon
Afterschool Club which has operated
since 1996 and is Ofsted registered
for 50 whom we collect from 4 local
schools; Blaydon West, St Josephs,Park
Head and St Mary & St Thomas at Stella
Blaydon Youth Club has always operated
a full and varied programme, trying
out new initiatives alongside more
traditional youth club activities. We
have responded with enthusiasm and
vigour to a changing world, the club
is no longer exclusively for young
people. We have grown to play a full
part in the life of our local
community.
The club has existed in its present
form since 1972 when the chapel, which
it occupied, was destroyed by fire.
Money for the new premises was raised
by a group of local businessmen, three
members of that original Committee are
still serving on the present
Management Committee.
A programme of extension and
refurbishment work was carried out in
1996 with the aid of £200,000 grant,
which Gateshead Council was successful
in obtaining from the Governments
Urban Programme. The improvements,
which include a new office, garage,
creche room and disabled access to the
building, have enhanced the work of
the Centre and the minibus which was
purchased at the time has proved
invaluable. Funds to carry out
improvements to the fire alarm, hall
lighting, electrical wiring and
burglar alarm were raised by the
Committee.
Blaydon Youth Club is a voluntary
organisation, although Gateshead
Council makes a contribution towards
the running cost of the Centre and
employs both the full time and part
time youth work staff. The membership
of the youth club is aged between 8
and 20 and numbers around 300. The
members engage in sports, outings,
residentials, arts and craft work and
issue based work.
Management Committee:
Officers:-
President: Mr Don Robson, Chairperson:
Mr Mike Stafford, Vice Chairperson:
Mr Charles Scott, Hon. Secretary: Mr
Alan Robson.
Committee:
Dr. Ray Jackson, Mrs Jean Gilhooley,
Mr Melvin James, Mr Bob Baker, Mrs
Glenda Trewick, Councillor Steve
Ronchetti, Representative of
Gateshead Council: Councillor Malcolm
Brain, Representative of Gateshead
Council: Councillor Katherine
Ferdinand, Representing D.A.C.Y.P:
Mr Alan Watson, Representing the
Director of Education: Ms. Nancy
Charlesworth.
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