The High Sheriff of Somerset, Pat Hunt, made a special visit to Highbridge Youth Club on Friday evening (May 14th) where she was shown its new juke box, which has been bought through a countywide scheme to promote improved quality of life through the prevention of crime.
The new juke box was purchased with funding from Crimebeat, which is backed by the High Sheriff, and whose aim is to give young people up to the age of 25 an opportunity to help combat crime and the causes of crime in their community.
Highbridge PCSO Gill Bawler, who runs the club, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The kids love the juke box. It is on all the time – it’s great to see it being so well used.”
The youth club was started five years ago by Gill with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour in Highbridge by building positive relationships between the local police and the community, and providing young people a safe and positive place to meet.
The club has been a real success and continues to go from strength to strength.
Open on Friday evenings from 6-8pm, the club is run by Gill and 20 local volunteers and attracts between 40-50 children a night.
PCSO Bawler added: “The Youth Club is a really good facility for the local community. It gives young people a fun and safe environment to meet with their friends and gives parents the peace of mind knowing they are in safe hands.”
“We are really grateful to the volunteers and the other organisations which support us and provide funding such as Crimebeat.”
The volunteers provide a range of activities including dance, arts & crafts and sports in addition to various outings and trips, a pool table, PlayStation and arcade games. A tuck shop is extremely popular with the youngsters and volunteers.
PCSO Bawler is currently looking for a new Youth Club Manager from the local community to oversee the running of the club and its volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or want to know about the scheme, contact PCSO Bawler on 0845 456 7000.
Somerset Crimebeat was launched back in 1998 and more details about the scheme are available here.
