ENTHUSIASTIC adults are being called on to join Alcester Youth Club as volunteers. The club, which meeting twice weekly at the Jubilee Centre, provides somewhere for teenagers from 13-18 years old to hang out together, play pool and table tennis, and play sports in the multi-use games area outside.

The club opens on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9pm with between 20 and 30 youngsters making use of the facilities to chat with friends, have a cup of tea and spend time with their friends.

Volunteer Syliva Eden said: “They use the sofas and play music. They want to get together and it’s somewhere they can just be. Apart from respect for themselves and the volunteers and the building, generally it’s just somewhere to chill and be off the streets. There’s nowhere for them to get together without the youth club.”

The club has been running for just over two years with support from Alcester Town Council, and earlier this year the volunteers organised a trip to Blackpool pleasure beach while some of the youngsters got involved in the summer’s Tug of War tournament on Jubilee Fields. They have also just received a grant from Alcester Youth Project to purchase a standing punchbag man which is proving very popular.

The club runs entirely on volunteer support, and is currently seeking more volunteers to boost the numbers.

Ms Eden added: “We need someone with a flexible attitude who accepts teenagers for who they are. They can be very boisterous, but we enjoy being with them, it’s fun.

“All the volunteers love it, and we’re all enthusiastic for next year. Any new volunteers just need to be able to accept that this is just what’s needed, somewhere to be, just a very informal setting. I would say the best thing to do is just come along one evening and talk to us and see how you feel.”

Volunteers are provided with child protection training and DBS checks by the club. For more information on getting involved as a volunteer contact Cliff Williams on 01789 762489 or Sylvia Eden on 01789 509723, or just go along on a Tuesday or Thursday evening to a club session at the Jubilee Centre on St Faith’s Road and chat to any of the volunteers.