Picture: Kerry Roberts

 

A NEW hub to provide youngsters with a safe and fun place to hang out, whilst offering them lifeskills and practical services is being launched in Bangor.

It is hoped the facility 'Hwb Westend Hub,' based at the Westend Academy, on Farrar Road, will help to discourage youngsters from falling into anti-social behaviour and protect them from criminal and sexual exploitation.

The centre has been set up to provide a range of activities with everything from games, sports, self- defence arts and crafts, lego, music, singing and dance and there is also a tuck shop, football table and chill out zone.

It will also give young people a place to seek practical help with things like business skills, work experience, keep fit, first aid, cookery and baking, IT and computer skills.

The club, which is a multi-agency initiative, is being run by North Wales Police, Westend Academy of dance, and Bangor Cathedral,with help by from members of the business community, local councillors and volunteers.

North Wales Police Inspector Dana Baxter who is co-ordinating the project said: "We hope we will be able to provide a vibrant, fun, exciting place for young people to go with their friends, but also, unlike the usual type of club, it will also offer practical skills and services.

"It is hoped it will help reduce the community's calls to the police concerning anti-social behaviour on Bangor's streets.

"We'd like the business and local community to get on board to help us run sessions, say if someone is good at art, or perhaps a business could provide work experience, we'd like to get other services in place, things like having a counsellor."

The club was launched today, at 4.30pm, and runs until 7.30pm, but officially opens on Friday, July 26.

The weekly Friday sessions will see a 'Kidz' session for younger children, aged six-11, from 6-7pm, and a "Teenz," teenager session, aged 12-18, from 7.45-9.15pm

The weekly entry fee will be £1, although for thee weeks only, (Jul 26, august 2 and 9) it is free to try.

For more information contact: 01248 361 306 or email hwbwestendhub@gmail.com.