Sophie Thorpe, a Rye town councillor, organised a session for teenagers and pre-teens to have their say about what they would like included in a youth club in Rye on Friday, April 5 at the leisure centre.
She explains: “Yesterday was great! We had thirty-nine young people attend, aged between 11 and 17 years old. They had a great time on the multi-use games area (MUGA), ending in a community game of football. Kids who had never played together before had a match and loved it! There were some really great ideas regarding their wishes for the youth club and also what they would like Freedom Leisure to offer in the meantime.”
The children were happy to chat, one fifteen-year old youngster saying: “I am hoping that the youth club would be able to offer a quiet space for children who are revising for their GCSEs. My house is really busy and it would be nice to go somewhere to be able to concentrate.”
A fourteen-year-old boy told Sophie what he would most like: “I would love somewhere that would show football matches and be like a sports bar that I could go to with my friends. I’m currently travelling to Hastings once a week to do this but it’s costing my mum a fortune!”
This session was so popular and encouraging that Sophie is running another on Friday, April 12 from 1pm to 3pm so do take up this offer as your thoughts and ideas are being listened to and may well shape the future of a youth club in Rye.
Image Credits: Sophie Thorpe .
Brilliant idea by Cllr. Thorpe, and isn’t it interesting what comes up when you ask kids what they actually want…? Revision spaces are a terrific idea. Tbh, so is somewhere young people can watch a match that isn’t a pub. Great initiative, Sophie.
What a fantastic approach by Cllr Sophie Thorpe, this article is all about listening to young people rather than imposing something that adults see as a priority. The support of the Leisure Centre is another piece of the jigsaw and it’s great to see it again being used more and more for the community.
Anything I can do to help from a Rother perspective please do get in touch, we should all owe a thank you to Cllr Sophie.
I must comment on the youth club idea , I was the youth club leader for 2 years we had the club house in mermaid street , Mr Fooks ,Dr Townsend , Pc Ellis , we’re just 3 of the committee that were instrumental in appointing me in the ninety’s along with ESCC , I got the club up to 40/50 teenagers every session , playing football , table tennis , darts , travelling in the TPCC mini bus to other clubs winning trophies , inviting personalities to play against the teenagers we had senior nights and junior nights a tuck shop , then it all happened we raised £3000 in a super star event which I had copied from the Television and the children could decide on how the money was spent they wanted the snooker recovered ,a new TV etc great we all thought . Result negative , so I resigned
A great accomplishment by Sophie, lovely that children are being listened to, and the prospect of a youth club is much needed in Rye.
I used to work within secondary schools with pupils who had learning/behavioural difficulties. The need for a ‘safe space’ for some children is imperative, especially during the school holidays, when crimes are often committed by bored kids with less than perfect homes. It should be a place where are rules and boundaries are set in place and adhered to: despite some protestation, these are what a lot of children lack and crave.
I was involved in the club in Mermaid Street.. Stewart is right, it worked really well, had computers , snooker table, talking space. I think sadly there were complaints from neighbours.
Sophie, so glad you are taking up the absolute need for a youth club, listen to the youngsters and hopefully get all the support you need.
Heidi
I wholeheartedly agree Heidi. I do remember well my youth club in North London. Going there was a highlight of my week at the age of 15. I will be watching carefully to see how this idea evolves and hopefully support it in some way. well done Sophie Thorpe