Excitement is building amongst a community in Dorset ahead of a new youth club starting up.

Young residents from Littlemoor will be given the opportunity of attending a new youth club at the community centre on Canberra Road.

Plans have been in motion for the project since last summer, with the idea of a space for children aged 11 and over in the Littlemoor area of Weymouth.  

It is expected that the new club will be held every Tuesday night between 7pm to 9pm, allowing the youth in the community a safe space, warmth and something to eat as well as giving them the opportunity to take part in a range of life skill activities including cooking.

Dorset Echo: Ruth Mills, an organiser and committee member, said this project is much-needed.

She said: “It’s clear that the area needs it as there just are not many youth groups around anymore, so we had the discussion to bring this kind of service back to the community.

“Many of us when we were young had access to groups which would benefit us not only with the activities we would get to do, but also the friendships we had made.

“Everyone has seen the need for something as it’s really important given that young people are our future, but we can’t do that unless we facilitate their growth.”

Ruth, who has had similar experience in running a youth club when she lived in Wales, has said that fundraising to make the project a reality has been difficult but that the community has pitched in together to make it work.

“It’s been tricky without funding- we have had to raise the money ourselves,” she said. “But everyone has been very supportive to establish something that Littlemoor needs.”

Dorset Youth, St Laurence Church in Upwey, and Cllr Louie O’Leary have all been supportive of the project, with fundraising initiatives including donations from the church’s Christmas service.

According to Ruth, the club will have access to the hall rent free for a certain period of time.

The youth club will be holding an open day at the centre on Saturday, April 20 between 12pm to 3pm. This will give anyone the opportunity to share their ideas on what people would like from the club.

Ruth said: “We are raring to go and hoping that the event is very well- attended.  It’s really exciting and from our point of view we go strength to strength.”