WESTBURY Youth Club held an introductory event to mark the reopening of the club, after it was forced to close temporarily in April due to a shortage of volunteers.

An indoor assault course took place at the Leigh Park Community Centre yesterday (August 15) for young people to let off steam and meet the new volunteers ahead of it’s reopening for term time in September.

The future of the club was uncertain when most of the volunteers left, but now it has a new group of 10 volunteers, the youth club is preparing for its relaunch.

Debbie Cole, centre manager at Leigh Park Community Centre said: “The reopening of the youth club is down to a community of local people from all different backgrounds with different experiences coming together.

“The volunteers are trained to help guide our young people and provide them with life skills and learning opportunities.

“We are so pleased to get the youth club back up and running. There is nothing else for the youth of Westbury and we felt it was important to reopen.

“The assault course is a great way for the members to meet their volunteers as well as getting to know each other.

“It went very well and all the young people who attended were very positive, so hopefully they will be back.”

Ethan Baldwin, 15, of Newtown, Westbury used to attend the youth club before its temporary closure.

He said “I was a bit disappointed when it stopped but I’m happy it is back up and running now.”

The aim of the youth club is to keep young people off the streets and show that there is more out there for them.

Youngsters will take part in fun activities, complete personal achievements and learn personal skills.

The club will run with a new structure where the activities will be led by club members rather than the volunteers.

Debbie said “I hope to see more attending with the new structure of the club”.

A roller disco will be the next open event held on Saturday, September 2 from 10am-1pm.

The youth club aimed at 11-to-18-year-olds will be running weekly from September 13 on Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm.

To find out more information about the youth club, or to join please call 01372 825774.