Youth Zone News – January 2010
The Spa Youth Zone can look forward to a bright future after being given permission to stay for good.
The Spa Youth Zone, which is located along Droitwich town centre’s High Street, has proved to be immensely popular. In fact, since it opened in May 2009, over 200 young people from Droitwich and the surrounding area regularly visit and use the facilities each week.
The Youth Zone is also popular with and has received support from various organisations and charities such as the Wychavon North & Central Children’s Team, The Prince’s Trust, WANDS Children Centre and Age Concern.
Weighing up the application for the venue to be used permanently as the Spa Youth Zone, Wychavon District Council’s Development Control Committee concluded that there were “significant wider benefits of the youth zone for the town”, and so approved the application.
Rob Mace, the Spa Youth Zone Manager, said: “This is great news as it means we can now start to make plans for the future and fully establish ourselves as a place for young people in Droitwich. Our successful application shows that young people can make a difference when they stand up for what they believe in, and I’d like to thank everyone who listened to their views and to those who can see that the Youth Zone is a great place for the young people in their community.”
He added: “There has been so much support from both agencies and the young people using the zone, that it’s highlighted to everyone involved how having a central youth facility can really improve their lives. That’s why it’s so vital that the zone can now stay open in the longer term.”
The Spa Youth Zone provides a safe and friendly place for young people to meet and hang out with their friends, get involved in interesting and unusual activities and classes, as well as take part in important educational and awareness courses.
Some of the activities organised in 2009 included:
• film evenings;
• hip-hop MC workshops;
• music and arts;
• nail and beauty sessions;
• a rail safety workshop at the ‘No Messin’ event in Cardiff;
• safe driving training; and
• fire and water safety training.
The Youth Zone will offer lots more exciting events and activities throughout 2010, as well as offering an IT room with internet access, a pool table, refreshments, and somewhere for young people to simply sit and chat.
Rob Mace said: “We still need to secure funding to keep running, but now we have the security that we’re not here on a trial basis and young people and agencies can use the zone more regularly, everyone involved can work towards making the Youth Zone a hub of youth activity to benefit everyone in Droitwich Spa.”
If you would like to know more about the Spa Youth Zone, contact Rob Mace on 01905 775233.
Tags: droitwich, Spa Youth Zone, wychavon
