A group of Glemsford teenagers who have formed a 'chill out' club for their village are celebrating after receiving £7k grant to get it up and running.
The group, who have called themselves Teenagers Speak Out Loud, came together during a Babergh District Council–funded film project in a bid to bridge an understanding gap between young people and adults in the village.
Glemsford has had a history of anti-social behaviour problems and the film project aimed to look at village life from differing viewpoints in order that each could understand the other better.
As a result of the project, and subsequent screening of the film, the group - Kim Willett, Kayleigh Wilson, Nicky Carr, Pearl Prigg, Leigha Taylor and Chelsea Howell - were offered use of the Tye Green Centre and the idea of a 'chill out' club for all of the village's young people was born.
And just last week the girls, all aged between 14 and 16, heard that they had been awarded £7k from Suffolk County Council's Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital funds programme.
The money will be used to buy equipment for the club and also to pay staffing and hall hire costs.
Cllr Rex Thake, ward member for Glemsford and Babergh's Young People Champion, said: "This is excellent news for the teenagers and for the village of Glemsford.
"Now the funding is in place, we really need to urge anyone who may have a couple of hours free to volunteer and help with this club.”
And Jill Barton, Babergh's Arts and Community Development Officer, said: "The hard work and enthusiasm of these girls is amazing and I am delighted this has been recognised by the county council funding.
"The group is a shining example of young people helping themselves.”
If you think you can help the group by volunteering, on a rota basis, to help one evening per week so the group can further their proejct, please call Jill Barton on (01473) 826674 or email: jill.barton@babergh.gov.uk. ENDS
|