Minchinhampton Community Hub has extensive facilities that comprise of a multi-use sports hall with adjoining lounge & kitchen area, as well as astro turf, skate ramp & a community gym. It hosts three youth club sessions & a baby & toddler group, Minchkins, weekly during term time. These sessions serve a diverse group of children & young people, many with additional needs, including neuro-diversity, and/or facing disadvantage in their lives. Minchkins is regularly visited by professional services who give information & support to parents & carers. Additional activities at Youth Club include sessions on healthy eating, forest craft, graffiti, bike maintenance and more. It also offers training, mentoring experience and placement for Duke of Edinburgh Awards students. The team would like to provide more activities provided by sessional workers around forest skills, healthy eating and more. They would also like to fund day trips.

What we'll deliver:

• Deliver three youth club sessions in Minchinhampton on a weekly basis during term time
• Deliver one baby and toddler Minchkins session in Minchinhampton on a weekly basis
• Deliver a day trip for each age group

Why it's a great idea:

Annually at least 150 children and young people will: - increase their knowledge around healthy eating - develop cookery skills - develop social skills through cultural and bushcraft activities. Annually at least 30 parents and carers will: - increase their knowledge around healthy eating - develop cookery skills - access and link to key services including the local primary school, health visiting service and Homestart - have access to an annual Paediatric First Aid course. A further 12 young people will develop their volunteering skills as part of Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award commitments supporting the Youth Club sessions alongside youth workers. They become trained as young leaders with extra responsibilities and act as mentors to the younger children. Each age group will have access to a day trip as an additional enrichment activity.

Steps to get it done:

• Sessional activities delivered to end of summer term July 2025
• Day trips for each age group at Youth Club take place at a weekend or school holiday

The mental wellbeing of young people (YP) is a great cause for concern post pandemic. We continue to see the effects of lockdown including addiction to mobile phones, difficulties socialising & YP who struggle to connect with their peers & parents. Enrichment sessions build confidence and encourage time away from screens & alongside sessional youthwork provision will bring about conversations & practices of mindfulness. These also provide opportunity for young people to build relations side- by- side, through talking with one another whist engaging in an activity. This has been very beneficial for neuro-diverse young people that attend our groups. Cooking and eating together breaks down barriers & encourages healthy conversations & builds relationships. The small groups facilitate better conversations about mental health & family issues. At Youth Club the youngest cohort receive a free healthy hot meal at each session, and the older cohort have access to optional hot food.