Back to the future for flagship youth project
–Youth project manager Julie Alford with, from left, trustee Nigel Flower and chairman Kevin Abbs. Picture: Holt Youth Project - Credit: Archant
An award-winning Norfolk youth project has gone 'back to the future' and is being run by its home town once more.
Fit for the future – Working out in the health hut gym under guidance from instructor and youth worker Jamie Merrit. Picture: Holt Youth Project - Credit: Archant
The Holt Youth Project has been held up as a beacon of community-run youth work, supporting youngsters to reach their full potential.
It merged with East Anglian-based young people's charity Ormiston Families in 2014 in a move to safeguard future funding. But the two have now agreed to sever the partnership, putting the project back under the control of a local set of trustees.
Manager and founder Julie Alford said: 'We are very excited to go back to our roots, working more closely with our local community once again and providing for the needs of its young people.
'We are proud to have turned many lives around – including a young man who struggled with mainstream schooling to find new skills through a cookery workshop and is now an apprentice at a local restaurant.'
New beginnings. Youth project manager Julie Alford with, from left, trustee Nigel Flower and chairman Kevin Abbs. Picture: Holt Youth Project - Credit: Archant
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Chairman of the trustees Kevin Abbs said that, thanks to re-energised local funding support, the project was fulfilling an ever increasing need for supporting young people, not just in Holt but across wider north Norfolk.
He added: 'We are pleased that Ormiston Families, as a parting gift, is refurbishing the centre with a clean-up.'
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Allan Myatt, Ormiston Families' chief executive officer, said that, after three years of caretaking the youth centre, it was delighted to hand the running of the centre back to a local board of trustees.
He added: 'It has been a privilege to work with the volunteers and staff.'
The project is now applying for a National Lottery grant to back its full range of work, and is also keen to hear from people who can volunteer with sessions including woodworking, allotment gardening, crafts, and it also needs a treasurer.
Holt Youth Project started at Mrs Alford's home 33 years ago, and it moved to a purpose-built centre at Old Station Way in 2004.
Its activities include youth clubs for six to 18-year-olds and support for young carers through respite, activities, and advice.
To find out more, call 01263 710918 or email juliealfordatholtyouth@googlemail.com
