One of the inspirations for my new novel, Danny Boy, is something I know to be true: ‘A good youth club can save your life’.
If more support and money (political support without money doesn’t cut it) had been given to youth clubs during the past ten years, fewer young lives would have been blighted, or even lost. Youth club staff know their communities and their young people’s needs best –– and they are better placed to respond to them quickly – if they are given the tools to do the job. High-profile youth campaigns (eg, anti-knife-crime) are always welcome but these funded initiatives have often taken place while local youth clubs were struggling for financial support, or closing down.
In a long association with a central London youth club, I have learned that with the freedom, and finance, to ‘act local’, youth clubs can make an even greater difference to the lives of young people –– and, yes, even save a life.
I’ve adapted what I’ve said about, St Andrew’s, Westminster, where I went as kid, as I believe it may apply to local youth clubs everywhere:
“If serving young people were only about providing facilities, youth clubs would be little more than a sports centres. However, youth clubs operate at the heart of their communities; they have tradition; local knowledge and something akin to soul. They are where young people undertake a host of activities in a safe environment of moral leadership, inspiration and support. And, youth clubs are places where young people can, and should be able simply to have fun.”
This video from St Andrew’s, Westminster demonstrates what great youth clubs can do by supporting, educating, challenging and nurturing tomorrow’s citizens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbKk1BF4QuI