Brett Supports Local Youth Work Programme
Brett Group has provided support to the Prince of Wales Youth Club (POWYC) in Canterbury
Brett Group has provided support to the Prince of Wales Youth Club (POWYC) in Canterbury, helping to fund the extensive youth work programme the club offers to young people aged between six and 19.
The Youth Club runs a host of activities for two age groups - six to 11 and 12 to 19 - at its purpose-built centre on Military Road in the city giving youngsters the opportunity to learn new life and social skills in a safe, unpressured environment. With its sports hall, games room, coffee bar, dance studio, computer suite and boxing gym, the club offers youngsters a wide range of activities in-house as well as regular outings and matches with other youth clubs in the area.
The junior club focuses mainly on fun activities that give children the chance to make friends, build self-confidence and enjoy themselves. Sports range from trampolining to football, then there are arts and craft sessions and trips out around the area.
“The aim at our junior club is to provide a varied, affordable programme for youngsters that gives them a good start in life,” says club leader, Joey Wickes who has been with POWYC for 17 years.
“Many of the children and young people who attend POWYC have disadvantages in their lives, some small, some large and some complex and many suffer from low self-esteem or a lack of confidence. Many find it difficult to ‘fit-in’ at school and struggle with mainstream education,” explains Joey.
By engaging youngsters in positive activities and increasing participation, the club seeks to tackle such issues and to improve their health and fitness. Every session includes at least an hour’s sport and a wide range of other activities. Seniors can even learn to cook healthy, nutritious meals – not just for themselves but for the group, if they wish, at the popular “Cook and Eat” workshops run at the club.
“The Prince of Wales Youth Club operates in a nationally recognised area of deprivation and our aim is to help young people gain new skills to combat issues they may face in their lives and give them somewhere they can come together and grow as individuals,” says Joey.
“Not all young people want to access the group, so we also go out and work with youngsters on the street to understand how we can help them too,” he explains.
“It is very important to have local businesses such as Brett Group involved in what we do, not only does it help financially but also helps raise the self-esteem of youngsters when they know that people in the wider community care about them and want to help them.”
(pictured: Tim Brett presenting a donation to the POWYC in Canterbury)
