Is your children attend a youth club...

[PrancerandDancer]

Hi,

I am hoping to set up a youth club in our local village. My DD is in reception and after speaking to a few other mums there seems to be a demand.

I am just after ideas and advice really... for anyone who's children attend youth clubs, what kind of activities do they do or would like to do and what ages are they?

If any one who run's a youth club or helps out could offer any advice or pointers about setting up that would be amazing!

I have contacted the parish council so far and I have worked in schools/volunteered for rainbows/brownies previously.

Hoping to do some sort of mindfulness or chill out area for the kids as I think after the pandemic, having somewhere to support kids with the MH is important.

Any other advice or ideas?

Obviously meant IF your child attends not is 😂

I would think of a youth club being aimed at teens or at least tweens, rather than reception age children. Or have I misunderstood your post? The NYA is the youth work body www.nya.org.uk/ - there may be stuff on their web site - or try UK Youth's web site.

well, for a start, a 'youth club' is normally the term used for teengers and older

Things to think about:
Why the club?
For child care?
For socialisation?
For a particular skill/activity?
For increased physically activity?
To get them off screens and playing?

Thinking about why you want a club will help you to decide on what sort of club it should be and what sort of activities.

Thanks both, not sure why I put about my DD age. In my head I meant I spoke to the parents regarding their older children. I got caught up in the excitement!

The village used have one from 8+ but wondered if two different sessions for key stage 2 and then 3 would be better. Would be a community based group with a theme each month or a skill the kids want to learn. I want it to be lead by them but want to create a safe space for them.

Thanks for the link I will have a look : )

Is it for older siblings, secondary school age?

@VerifiedBot2351 for the later primary and secondary

DS and DD go to a youth club.
They have a session for primary school kids just after school and another for secondary a little later in the evening.
Primary school kids have an art table, gym mats, indoor badminton, air hockey table and games consol. If it's sunny they play in the playground outside the community centre.
They used to be given a meal but I think they're a bit low on funds so now it's just a chocolate biscuit. 😆
I don't know what the seniors do. I know some of them do a "youth leaders" course and help out with the younger kids.

I think it is a quite idea in theory but in practice I don't know if they really work now. My DD tried a few when she was about 11 but two of the ones she went to were full of unruly boys and the 3rd one she tried had very few children despite advertising- now none of them exist.

Good luck though. I hope you make it work.

Thanks @shellstarbarley and @unlimiteddilutingjuice for your input. Certainly a lot to think about and plan. Going to get a survey going to see if there's interest and how the community would like it run. Be lovely to have the kids socialising without a screen!