Help us to help young people

As chair of WAYC, a local youth charity, I am delighted to be launching our 60th birthday celebrations. WAYC has been ‘Inspiring Young People’ since its inception in 1954 as the Association of Mixed and Girls Clubs, when we had 21 youth clubs. In 2014, we now support 141 youth clubs throughout Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull. Last year we also worked directly with 571 young people last year, through ‘one to one’ support and group work.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Apr 2014, 08:08 BST

The needs of young people have changed considerably since our founding with current issues such as cyber-bullying; drugs and alcohol abuse; knife and gun crime and youth unemployment very much to the fore. Yet in the wake of government cuts and increasing family breakdown young people have less support available to them - local youth services have been slashed; careers advisors have virtually disappeared and young people face long waiting lists to see mental health specialists.

This is why our work is so important. Our professionally qualified youth workers provide expert advice and direct mentoring support to young people who are finding life a challenge.

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To celebrate our 60th anniversary we are launching our ‘Give 60’ campaign, which aims to raise both money and volunteer support. The essence of ‘Give 60’ is simple- any activity involving a ‘60’. Volunteers giving 60 minutes of time (or 60 hours), 60 business coming forward to support us, donations in multiples of 60; ‘60’ fundraising events, 60 new volunteers for our local youth clubs, challenge events 60 mentors to young people.

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We are delighted to have already signed up six volunteers, one of whom is Chris White, the MP for Leamington and Warwick, who has offered to be a mentor to a young person looking for work. Could you Give 60? Please visit our web-site: www.wayc.org.uk to see how or call 01926 450156.

All money raised will support local young people by providing one to one mentoring, or paying for essential items, such as a new interview suit, or a bus pass.

As part of our anniversary celebrations we are also facilitating a history project, led by young people, searching for memories and photos of youth clubs in the 1950s for publication later in the year. Did you attend a local youth club? If you have any photos or information you would be willing to share with us, do get in touch on 01926 450156, write to us at: WAYC, Jubilee House, Westlea Road, CV31 3JE or email us at [email protected].

Chris Cox, Chair, WAYC

Related topics:VolunteersWarwickshireCoventry