Shola Ameobi opens new centre for young people of Barnard Castle

28/09/2006

YMCA Barnard Castle was opened on Friday 22nd September by Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi. Young people and adults alike gathered outside the YMCA on Galgate to see Shola cut the ribbon. A blessing was given by Richard Hunter (Deputy Chair of Barnard Castle YMCA) and the building officially opened.

Photo: Tracy Blandford and Shola Ameobi

Shola spent time signing autographs for young people and Newcastle fans before having a tour of the new YMCA facility. Shola said about the facility, 'What a fabulous facility, Barnard Castle has been waiting so long for this. Obviously for the area it is a good thing and will help all kids, if they have a place to go it will keep them off the streets. 'I am very happy to be involved in this.'

Place for young people
The centre which is a drop in centre for young people which is initially to be open four nights a week for young people 11 -18 has a range of facilities including a pool table, plasma screen, internet accessible computers, table football and x box.
The centre will be staffed each day by qualified and trainee youth workers and volunteers who will support the young people to run the facility. Research in 2003 conducted by Teesdale District Council, Teesdale Market Towns Initiative and 2D highlighted and confirmed the suspected lack of welcoming facilities and services in the centre of the market town for young people.
The same research revealed a lack of youth workers and central meeting place.
The YMCA picked up the research work and used it as evidence to apply for the European Funding available to community organisations in Teesdale.
The aim to meet five of the top priority issues identified in the research will be achieved by the end of 2006 which is a fantastic achievement.
In May 2005 a project manager (Tracy Blandford) was appointed as a result of the European funding to take the project forward and over the next year relationship were built with the local young people to find out what they wanted and design the facility.

Refurbished premises
Tracy also raised money for the current building YMCA Barnard Castle owned to be refurbished. The building - an old run down shop premises which is situated on the main road through Barnard Castle - was in need of a substantial amount of work to develop it into its current facilities. The building work began in February 2006 and was completed a few weeks ago.
Tracy Blandford said, 'A comment from a young person which makes all the hard work worthwhile was 'thanks for doing this for us''.
'The venture which has been supported by many people financially and with time is something that the local community feel has been long needed in Barnard Castle and now means young people have a facility they can call there own, feel safe and be supported by youth workers.

Thank you
The project was supported by The Northern Rock Foundation, European Regional Development Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, YMCA Movement Trust Fund, Police Task group...All these donations have meant the facility could be kitted out with the latest equipment which will encourage young people to come in.
The facility which hosted some initial trial openings has had over 40 young people attending each session, allowing young people to try out the centre and get used to the facility.
The drop in centre is the start of the work of YMCA Barnard Castle who will now be looking for new projects and other needs of young people in Teesdale. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the work of Barnard Castle YMCA.
'Without the help and the support of the local community it would never have happened.'

Photo: YMCA Cafe