YOUNGSTERS cheered in celebration to mark the first anniversary of a local youth group.

Westbury Youth Club celebrated its first successful year since reopening with a group trip to the Funways activity centre in Warminster.

Just last June the mood was very different as the club was forced to close due to a volunteer shortage. It reopened again in September 2017 and has been growing ever since.

The Wednesday night termtime sessions at the Leigh Park Community Centre offer a safe place to meet and a host of activities for 12-19-year-olds, and cost just £2 a week.

Beth Mullins-Watts, leader of Westbury Youth Club, said: “We have had a very successful first year. We didn’t know what to expect with the relaunch, so we went back to basics. The number of hours that the volunteers put in before the re-launch played a huge part in getting the club back up and running.

“After being involved with the club for 15 months and being the leader for the last two months, I have seen first-hand the benefits that the youth club brings to Westbury’s young people.

“We have now have 42 registered members who all attend sessions regularly.

“We offer activities each week such as baking and cooking, arts and crafts, sports games and singing and dancing.

“Over the last year we have seen the success of the club grow.

“We have held three parties, a barbecue, three trips to Funways in Warminster, a trip to Brokerswood and an inflatable swim party at Frome Leisure Centre.

“These trips and all the activities we run are at a subsidised cost. This wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t the donations by the people of Westbury, the council grants and the volunteers. On behalf of the club we would like to thank everyone who has made the last year a success and for all the support that we have received, as without this support and funding, we would not have a club.

“A special thank you goes to all the companies locally and further afield that donated to our fundraising night back in April.”

If anyone is interested in joining the team who run the club, they can email westburyyouthclub@gmail.com or pop in to the community centre any Wednesday evening.

The club currently has space for new members aged 12-19. If you are interested, contact Mrs Watts on 01373 825774.

We can’t forget to mention the members who come who make it safe, rewarding and worthwhile for us all and are the reason why we give our time to such a good cause.

The biggest thank you of all has to go to my team of volunteers, past and present, who give up their time for free and work tirelessly being the scenes and on a Wednesday night. Without them, none of this would have been possible and we wouldn’t have a youth club.

“With a high number of members, we are looking for new volunteers to come and join us on a Wednesday evening 5.30-8.30 at Leigh Park Community Centre term-time only. No experience is needed as we will provide training. We will need a valid DBS check which we can arrange, and an online safeguarding course will need to be completed.

“If anyone is interested in joining our team please email me at westburyyouthclub@gmail.com or pop in to the community centre and see us on a Wednesday evening.

“We currently have space for new members aged 12-19. If you would like to come, the entrance fee is £2.”