Member Article

Power Station keeps the lights on at Amble Youth Project

Lynemouth Power in South East Northumberland is using its Community Fund to help The Amble Youth Project extend its service in the town.

A registered charity, the project has been providing important leisure and education facilities to young people for almost two decades and relies solely on donations to fund its operations.

A new donation for £1,500 from Lynemouth Power has enabled the project to extend its opening hours to include a new Friday night session.

Welcoming the donation, Northumberland county councillor and chair of the project, Jeff Watson, said: “We are the only organisation in Amble to provide a safe and secure environment for young people in the community to meet, have fun, and participate in constructive activities.

“Lynemouth Power’s continued support is invaluable to us. We would not be able to offer the new Friday evening service without this generous donation. Their help is greatly appreciated by both by the Trustees and the young people that use our facilities.”

The Amble Youth Project works to encourage young people, aged 9 to 18, in the community to adopt healthy and fulfilling lifestyles by offering advice and guidance on drugs, sexual health, alcohol, smoking, healthy eating, employment and training as well as a place to meet friends and have fun participating in various leisure activities.

Bob Huntington, managing director at Lynemouth Power, said: “The Amble Youth Project is a fantastic organisation run by dedicated volunteers providing a vital resource in the local community. We are delighted to be able to support the project by funding the Friday evening sessions which I’m sure will be extremely popular.”

The scope of the project’s work has changed considerably in recent years. Originally a drop-in-centre ran by two volunteers. The Amble Youth Project is now a gateway to reach disaffected and disadvantaged young people. It helps with issues and opportunities that play a critical role in their personal development during their teenage years. The focus of the work has moved from a youth club style to issue-based work addressing substance misuse, sexual health, employment, education and training.

In the last 12 months there has been over 8000 visits to the project by young people and other community members accessing various types of support and activities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Amy Maughan, Contributor .