Local youth workers in West Bridgford are on a mission to create safe spaces for local young people to hang out after school. Churches in West Bridgford have a long-standing relationship of working well together, from putting on children’s clubs to community events to friendship clubs.
Recently, it was the turn of the Youth Workers to get together, who gave out sweets at the crossroads of Melton Road / Valley Road Boundary Road, to spread some joy to local secondary school pupils. Overall, they gave away 10kg of sweets to hundreds of young people and are looking to repeat this once a term to bless people and get the word out that there are safe places to gather after school and receive a free drink.
Beth Bevan, Children & Youth Pioneer at Edwalton Church, organised the event: “It was a joy to work with teams from many different West Bridgford churches to bless and connect with young people from Rushcliffe School on Monday 24th March. We loved handing out so many sweets and spreading joy to many young people as we did so.
“As a group of local churches, we all have our own brilliant youth activities within our unique church settings. But we also love to shout about what each other is doing and would encourage you to attend any of the Youth Spaces that are local to you!”
Youth Spaces are informal and safe environments, where you can expect a warm welcome, a free drink, and a place to belong. Many of the spaces have games and activities provided, along with friendly volunteers to chat with.
Sue Buckby, who heads up the Tuesday Youth Space at St. Paul’s Boundary Road, said: “We have been up and running since November last year, having visited other local churches and learnt from what they were offering. Each week we have between 60 and 70 young people come for a drink and chat, before heading home or to the park, and it’s an absolute joy. It’s a tough time to be a teenager, and we are committed to being a place of welcome and safety for all who need it.”
With some already established and others on the way, why not check out a Youth Space near you: https://www.churchestogetherwb.org.uk/index.php/youth