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 a Pre-school which takes children from the age of two and an Afterschool Club which has operated since 1996 and we collect from three local schools; Blaydon West, St Josephs,and St Mary & St Thomas at Stella. Both groups are registered with Ofsted.

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, Deputy Chairperson: Mr Charles Scott, Hon. Secretary: Mr Alan Robson.

Committee:

Dr. Ray Jackson, Mrs Jean Gilhooley, Mr Melvin James, Mrs Glenda Trewick, Councillor Steve Ronchetti, Representative of Gateshead Council: Councillor Katherine Ferdinand, Representing D.A.C.Y.P: Mr Alan Watson.