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The
club aims to facilitate young people from the South Leeds
area and other
communities within the city, giving them access to a range
of meaningful and friendly activities. A particular emphasis
and objective within the overall aim, is to help reduce the
effect of anti-social behaviour, enabling them to both develop
personally and for them to make positive contributions to
their lives and within the community.
The
club provides a range of social and recreational activities,
these include; organized team games such as Rugby League and
Soccer, and Individual Sports. In addition we promote opportunities
in outdoor pursuits, Team Building and Individual Attainment.
These are arranged through a weekly programmed attracting
over 300 young people between the ages of 10-24 years and
supported by one full-time worker, several part-time workers,
and a number of voluntary staff and senior members.
In
recent years we have entertained youth groups from both France
and Belfast and have visited France on 12 occasions, with
over 400 young people. In 1996 we raised funds to visit the
USA with 12 members from the surrounding area. All these exchanges
were built around cultural experiences.
Our
membership derives mainly from the neighbouring districts
of Holbeck, Beeston, Belle Isle, and Middleton, which are
predominantly low cost housing and council estates. We work
with young people from five adjacent high schools and six
junior schools, also with special needs.
For
many years the club worked in partnership with the Manpower
Services Commission (M.S.C.) in supporting the former Y.T.S
provision. More recently we provided facilities on site in
helping to develop the uniformed services course in partnership
with Park Lane College of Further Education.
Many
of our young people in the 16-19 year age group who have not
been in training or employment have been helped to access
further opportunities. We have established good relations
with local employers such as Vickers, The Ring Group, Waddingtons,
Tetley's Brewery and Alphagraphics. Through these contacts
many of our young people have secured full-time employment. |