A SHORTAGE of volunteers has forced Westbury Youth Club to close temporarily just eight months after it opened at the Leigh Park Community Centre.

The future of the club, which runs on Wednesdays from 6-8pm, was plunged into uncertainty when five of the eight volunteers stood down in the space of five weeks.

Centre manager Debbie Cole says she was forced to close the club, which opened in November, as three volunteers could not run a night for more than 30 11-18-year-olds.

However Ms Cole is certain this is not the end for the club and she hopes it will reopen in September, when around 10 volunteers can regularly help out to secure its long-term future.

"It was a very difficult decision and a lot of people were very upset but this was a pragmatic decision to make sure we never have to close again," she said.

"This club means so much to so many youngsters. We need to make sure we can put together the youth club that these people deserve and that can last for a long time.

"Three people just is not enough to keep going. We need at least five or six volunteers to run it. If we can get that pool of 10 volunteers we can use them on a rota basis to firm up the foundations.

"The youth club is a safe place to meet and make new friends. Everyone is made to feel welcome. We listen to young adults’ ideas and try to implement these into the planned activities provided if possible.

"It is a place where the young adults can interact with each other along with the volunteers who are motivating and encouraging."

Volunteers need to be at venue, in Leigh Park Way, on Wednesdays from 5.30-8.30pm during term-time only.

They need to hold a DBS certificate and be trained in safeguarding, both of which can be supplied by the youth club. If you can help out email leighparkcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk