Ashford YMCA, writes........
Evolve 51* was launched by Ashford YMCA in January 2004. We took over the club from KCC. The equipment we inherited was pretty dire and an immediate plan for funding for new equipment was put into place. We received a £500 gift from Centrepiece church towards the work.
The number of attendees was low and no change over was given with a briefing
or a database of names and contacts. We had two young people on the first
night and felt disappointed that an opportunity and the potential of a
building like Centrepiece and service like this weren't being utilised
Being Connexions funded for our work the target group of the youth group
age is within fitting of our funding criteria. So the youth club is more
than a "hangout" its also a place for advise, career guidance
etc, a relaxed approachable environment is hopefully created in the club,
therefore breaking down the taboos that would otherwise hinder from that
kind of formality.
Ashford YMCA has provided the staffing with a ratio of female and male staff that fit in with the child protection legalities, We have also had representatives from the church, which has been welcomed, YMCA also has a volunteer network which it can pull in for additional sessions.
ACTIVITIES
At present the activities we run are:- basketball, football, home cinema
DVD, table tennis, pool/snooker, table football, breakdancing workshops,
Capoerio workshops and games consoles, a lot of plans are in progress
for the future.
We have also had a trip to Alton Towers theme park in April - with an
early start and 3 minibus convoy a great day was had, an excursion to
the London Towers Basketball club has been arranged for December 2004,
and a group of 13 will be going on that day.
Exciting times ahead always looking for funding possibilities and ways
we can improve on the service level we get, more training is being given
to the staff, and also coaching levels in a variety of sports are being
given, so we can give back the highest level of youth work to the young
people of Ashford, plans to re-do the sports hall, with a make over of
the floor and walls, new basketball boards and nets and professional floor
markings making it one of the best indoor courts in the town outside of
statutory buildings, for the lounge area 2x 100" screens with state
of the art games consoles through Dolby surround sound and PA systems,
giving an arcade feel, satellite television so the youth can watch Youth
TV, MTV, XTREME SPORTS etc…….
New pool and table tennis tables, and MP3 player offering over 10,000
downloadable music tracks to choose from in an evening, home cinema DVD,
creating a cinema feel. And a aerobic and exercise equipment , all these
dreams are achievable and I do not lose vision on this being the best
youth centre in the town as its what the young people deserve and need.
We meet on Wednesdays from 6pm.
