As the nights get darker, The Lounge youth project in Alvechurch continues to help keep the young people of the parish occupied during the evenings.
New Lead Youth Worker Dean Morgan kicked an extremely strong autumn programme by designing and producing a calendar for next year, based on photographs taken by the youngsters themselves. The calendars are now on sale at The Lounge.
Sally Meredith from Alvechurch Communities Together (ACT), the charity behind The Lounge, says: “We are really thrilled to have appointed someone with so much experience and creative ability.
“Dean, a BSc (Hons) graduate, has more than 22 years’ experience of working with young people in a variety of settings including residential projects and holiday programmes.
“He is able to provide support and guidance, dealing with contemporary issues such as gang culture, bullying, bereavement and unemployment.
“Dean’s previous youth work includes alternative education, performing arts and creative media projects and sports programmes.”
Dean says: “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the young people of Alvechurch.
“I hope to provide opportunities for young people to shape their own futures and enable them to become valued active members of the local community.
”My first month was focused on relaunching the Thursday drop-in youth clubs, which now run from 4.30-6.30pm for young people aged 11 to 13; and 7-9pm for those aged 14-plus.
“To enable The Lounge to provide a wider range of services, including more youth club nights, part of my role is to assist in the ongoing recruitment, training and development of a team of volunteers for the youth work programme and other roles within the project.
“So I can’t put this more plainly: I need your help! If you have any spare time to give, a particular skill or talent; or maybe you’re just interested in learning what it’s like to work with young people; if you have an idea for a project or a way to raise funds, then please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or drop us a line.”
To discuss how you could help, call Dean or Sally on 0121 445 5521 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
More information about The Lounge, its youth work and community activities can be found at https://www.alvechurchlounge.org.uk