Inside the Downham Youth Project's new home are (from left) Olivia Harrod (11), Amy Harrod and Youth project manager Ben Hyde.

With a pool table, a Nintendo Wii and an internet suite, it is not hard to see why youngsters are flocking to a new youth hut.

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The facility, run by Downham Youth Project, has been a hit with young people across a wide age range wanting to relax, socialise and learn new skills after school.

Ben Hyde, project manager, said the permanent base with a large lounge area and a kitchen, opposite the Howdale Community Centre, has enabled his team to do more for the youngsters.

He said: “After the project started in 2007 we had to hire rooms across the town because we didn’t have a permanent base and this meant we were restricted about what we could offer the youngsters. But now we have this fantastic building there is so much more we can do and we are delighted by the response we have had so far from young people.”

Currently the project runs an after-school club on Tuesdays from 3-5pm for those aged 11 to 14 and youth cafes for 15- to 18-year-olds on Thursdays and Fridays from 7.30-9.30pm.

“There is possible funding on the horizon which could mean we can do another after school club on a Friday,” Mr Hyde continued.

“We had hoped to have three after school clubs and three youth cafes a week, but we weren’t successful in securing a grant of £160,000.

“Now we are breaking down what we would like into smaller grant applications and we will just have to see what happens from there. It would be good if perhaps we can get sponsorship for local businesses.”

He added: “We hope the youngsters see this as a nice, friendly place that they can meet their friends to relax for free, go on the internet and, more importantly, see it as a safe space.

“We are especially pushing for
11- and 12-year-olds to come along so we can get them in and support them throughout their secondary school years.”

Mr Hyde and his team will explore running specific interest-based projects such as DJ tuition with the teenagers.