The Hamp ReCreation Youth Club in Bridgwater has achieved Somerset County Council’s ‘Safe and Welcoming’ award.

ReCreation is a purpose built youth and community building on the Hamp estate in Bridgwater.  It is managed and run by Somerset Coast YMCA and offers a wide range of activities and opportunities.

The centre’s current programme includes an after school club and an evening youth club on a Tuesday and a Thursday part funded by Somerset County Council’s 3 year grants programme and Hamp Community Association. Plus some new projects are currently under development for 2017.

The ‘Safe and Welcoming’ benchmark scheme accredits the club’s safe practice and appeal to young people. The clubs was required to build a portfolio containing witness statements, policies, health and safety practice and building safety details in order to obtain the award.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Somerset County Council, said: “It is reassuring for parents and carers to know that their local youth club is safe, sustainable and ‘young people friendly’. Once a youth club has gained this award, it becomes instantly recognisable to young people and their families as a great resource for their community.”

Robin Seeley, Community Programme Coordinator of YMCA Somerset Coast said; “The safe and welcoming benchmark has enabled us to quality assure the building and ensure that all of our systems and processes are up to date and meet good practice guidelines. As part of the process started by safe and welcoming the building has undergone extensive cleaning, clearing and general tidying as well as a new coat of paint and some new equipment!”

Valid for three years the award is a condition of Somerset County Council youth club funding. The award is split into a sections looking at what young people can expect to experience at the club, the people who contribute to or work in the club, and policies, procedures and paperwork.

The Hamp ReCreation Youth Club is the 36^th club in Somerset to achieve the award.