Rustington youth centre given new lease of life

AFTER an uncertain few months following widespread county council cuts to youth services, the future of Rustington’s youth centre finally looks secure.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Feb 2012, 05:11 BST

The centre, at the Woodlands Recreation Ground, has been closed since May, last year.

However, thanks to a bold partnership between Rustington Parish Council and the Arun Community Church’s youth work project ACCelerate, it has been given a new lease on life.

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Teenagers and young people in the village will be able to enjoy all the facilities at the site, from Thursday (February 23), as it reopens under the watchful gaze of ACCelerate.

The club will house a range of activities to help youngsters unwind, from pool tables and air hockey, to computer games and even a large kitchen.

Youth worker Pippa Harsant, of ACCelerate, said: “More importantly, it gives young people a space of their own and a chance to talk with staff, if they want to.”

The centre is owned by the parish council, which has been working tirelessly to save the much-needed service in the village.

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Speaking about the partnership, parish council chairman Andy Cooper said: “Rustington Parish Council is delighted to be working with ACCelerate in providing a quality youth club for the young people of the Rustington area.

“After so many youth clubs have been cut back, Rustington looks forward to making the club a focal point for our young community.”

Arun Community Church, based in The Street, has been in Rustington for almost 40 years and for much of that time has been involved in running popular activities for children and young people in the area, from holiday play schemes to the Play Centre pre-school.

It also owns and operates The Wickbourne Centre in Clun Road, Wick.

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Jon Jolly, children’s and youth team leader for the church, said: “We are really excited about reopening the youth centre for the local community.

“There is no other youth centre in Rustington and it is very important this vital resource is used for young people.”

Sessions are from 6pm to 7.30pm for youngsters aged between 11 and 14 and 8pm to 9.30pm for over-14s.

Sessions cost 50p. For more details, contact ACCelerate on 01903 782744.

Related topics:RustingtonRustington Parish Council