£117k youth club windfall

THUMBS UP . . . for Werneth and Freehold Community Development Project

A YOUTH project supporting hundreds of disadvantaged children from across Oldham will remain open thanks to a bumper £117,000 cash injection.

The generous contribution has enabled Werneth and Freehold Community Development Project to continue its work with children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Youth clubs run by the project had to shut down in May, 2016, when funding streams from BBC Children in Need dried up.

But the national charity has pledged its support again, securing the future of the Oldham organisation for the next three years.

Project co-ordinator Yvonne Burtonwood said: "It was fantastic news to hear we had been successful. We didn't have enough funding to keep it going and children and young people were knocking on the doors asking why clubs weren't running which was heartbreaking.

"So to be able to restart the sessions is absolutely brilliant.

"We sometimes have more than 100 children come through the doors and these young people are some of the most disadvantaged children in the area. Oldham is one of the poorest parts of the country and this is the third most deprived ward in Oldham where child poverty is high.

"This is the third three-year grant we have been given from BBC Children in Need. It is quite unheard of to receive nine years' funding so we are really fortunate."

Funding will pay for seven qualified youth workers as well as the resources needed to deliver activities to the seven to 18-year-olds.

This latest grant has enabled a new junior clubs and additional holiday clubs to be run alongside the existing senior, open access and girls-only groups.

Children who attend the centre praised the variety of sessions on offer with one boy saying: "I like the group because we all work together."

Kaif Khan said: "I enjoy all the activities in the youth group," while Zayn Khan said: "The junior youth club is always fun and has interesting activities."

The clubs are held across six nights of the week from the project's community centre in Tamworth Street.

Trips to the theatre, galleries and local parks can be accessed by the young people as well as crafts, cooking, table tennis and knitting.

Last week they ventured out to several churches and mosques in Oldham as part of a faith project.

Some of the youth have set up their own YouTube channels to share about the skills they are learning.

Yvonne, who has worked for the project since 2000, said: "Our new focus is on health and well-being so we have been running a healthy eating cooking project, jiu jitsu and sports projects throughout January.

"We could not reach out and provide these activities to Oldham's young people without the support of BBC Children in Need. This grant will go on to change the lives of so many young people and give them the continued support they need.

"We are fortunate to have volunteers who support Werneth and Freehold Community Development Project to expand the provision we can supply with the funding given to us. We will also continue to work in partnership with other youth groups and organisations in Oldham."

The project works closely with Mahdlo, OPAG, Chadderton youth centre and others to deliver activities.

BBC Children in Need regional officer for the North Tom Kirk said: "BBC Children in Need supports organisations across the UK that are working to help children and young people reach their full potential and we're delighted to be supporting the Werneth & Freehold Community Development Project.

"Through BBC Children in Need funding, the project will provide a variety of sessions to disadvantaged young people in Oldham, including art, music, cooking and sport.

"By engaging young people in activity sessions and training the project will help develop essential life skills, both personal and practical, and help the young people to reach their full potential."

He added: "To our fundraisers who have made grants like this possible, a very big thank you."

Children in Need funding relies the commitment of thousands of supporters across the UK who donate their time and money to the charity.

Other funding for the project has been given by Oldham Council, JP Getty, Nursery Education Grants, Early Years, District Partnership and Near Neighbours.