News shared by Ventnor Town Council’s Youth Opportunities Officer:
For more than 11 years, Ventnor Town Council has provided a youth provision in Ventnor, offering activities and enrichment for young people aged 9-16. Through providing opportunities and the support of trained staff, Ventnor Youth Club strives to promote the well-being and inclusion of children within the community, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
A variety of activities are currently available, including basketball, badminton, dance, and drop-in sessions, where young people can take part in physical games, board games, table tennis, and arts and crafts. Ventnor Youth Club has also offered skateboarding lessons, cooking sessions, GCSE revision support, and the opportunity for children to design, build, and maintain their own allotment using tools to construct raised beds.
The programme of activities and the themes explored are diverse: the club encourages active citizenship through mentoring, role modelling, and discussions around current social affairs, both locally and globally.
Sessions are influenced by seasonal events, citizenship topics, or wider themes such as keeping children safe in society.
Conservation and environmental awareness form an important part of the club’s activities. One such project saw the children raise £220 by producing art pieces linked to the planet, with the Bezzo’s Foundation donating £5 for each submission to support climate change initiatives.
As part of the club’s active citizenship work, the children have also learned about fair trade and created bird feeders, while discussing the declining populations of wildlife and ways to help.
Increasing opportunities for physical activities has been especially beneficial for the group, with the children clearly enjoying the chance to play and have fun together.
The introduction of basketball, for example, came about when Leo, a keen basketball player, highlighted the lack of provision at his school, which meant he previously had to travel by bus with his mum to play elsewhere. Throughout the sessions, the children have grown in confidence, now organising their own matches, teaching, and supporting each other. Leo, in particular, has flourished, describing the staff as “funny and nice. They listen.”
Nova, another young person attending the club, describes Ventnor Youth Club as “very, very fun,” highlighting her favourite activities as “Dobble, basketball and badminton.” She also praised the staff for being “very energetic and fun” and for always introducing new games.
Through co-operation with other non-profit organisations, monetary funding, creative session leaders, and community empowerment, Ventnor Youth Club continues to deliver a varied programme of activities for young people.
Successful collaborations have included designing and building a sea-worthy raft using electric tools, hosting scrap robot wars, exploring the natural environment, and bushcraft activities.
For families local to the Ventnor area, more information and updates can be found by following the club’s Facebook page.