Youth club success in the west end shows the importance of the presence of a safe space for youths to go in the north east today.

It is as important as ever that we can create a space for the youth to develop and one place showing its tremendous efforts and support of this is the Denton Youth and Community Project in the West End of Newcastle.

Opening in October 2000 the centre served as a proposal to curb anti-social behaviour in the local area and this idea came from the youths as a proposal to provide “services for people of all ages”.

Between April 2010 and March 2022 the organisation has worked with 8,831 individuals in the local community. In the post-pandemic years it has seen an increase showing the need for local support in the local areas and communities.

In conversation with members of the youth programme, the celebration of the youth group was shown with one person commenting “I’ve created new friendships and have had opportunities for trips and experiences” and another added “it's a good way to socialise and keep contacts with close and valuable friends over time”.

Another striking comment raised by youths within the programme is their strong feelings towards the importance of this youth club with another commenting “I feel it keeps children off the streets and gives them a place to go and to be themselves”. 

This feeling of support given to those who need it urges the importance of keeping the institution of youth groups and clubs going especially in the north east. 

Many young people feel the effects of the lack of support in society, giving a safe social space to promote emotional maturity and communication can improve social behaviour and performance.

Opportunities of creativity, teamwork, expression and communication are promoted through the existence of youth clubs/ centres and today with the loss of social settings for youths these skills should be prioritised which Denton Youth and Community Project sets out to do.