The need for youth club is very evident and was further confirmed by the consultation process which took place in early 2022 where local organisations as well as the young people of Lambourn were asked what facilities they considered to be a priority. Top of the list came “a safe place to meet and to hang out and chat with friends”.
Led by Anna Field, the Lambourn Junction Community Interest Company has been working with Berkshire Youth, The Greenham Trust, Lambourn Parish Council, West Berkshire Council and other community organisations on the optimal set-up of a youth club for Lambourn. Berkshire Youth support the concept that the youth club should be for the use of Lambourn and be run as much as possible by people from Lambourn. Residents of Lambourn who have experience of working with young people, or are keen to help in any way, are asked to contact Anna Field for more information.
“Just like with any new venture we will start small with a ‘youth chat’ approach” commented Anna, “That is, a place where young people can meet first and foremost, we then hope to progress having learned what activities and facilities are most in demand by the young people of Lambourn. The Youth Club is not something we will impose – it is something we will nurture, grow and adapt according to the needs of the community.”
The project moved from the feasibility stage to implementation and the first meeting of the Lambourn Youth Junction was on the 1st November 2022 with over 40 young people signed up to attend. The club has continued to grow with 60 attendees at recent meetings.
The Lambourn Youth Junction is financially supported by private donations and a number organisations including: