Daventry Town Council Invests in Youth

Since 2011 youth work and facilities for children and young people have been the victim of cost cutting strategies both locally and nationally. In addition to the reduction in funding for youth services and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic followed by the cost-of-living crisis, it has never been more important to support our children and young people.

Since 2021, Daventry Town Council has been seeking funding to provide services that support the wellbeing of our under 18's. In 2022, the Town Council was approached by a local GP to assist in the development of a Teen Clinic, a project that would see the creation of a partnership between health education, local community, and young people, supporting the physical and mental well-being of teens aged 11-18 in Daventry and surrounding areas.

Teen Clinic Daventry is evolving into a thriving hub, providing a service for young people by young people Teen Clinic Daventry

Whilst working in partnership with health professionals and schools to develop Daventry Teen Clinic, Daventry Town Council also detected, from increased youth engagement and via social media, a rise in anti-social behaviour, convincing them to divert monies allocated for a sponsored PCSO into youth services.

In the knowledge that the new Southbrook Community Centre had recently opened and members within the community were already looking to start a youth club, the Town Council appointed Clubs for Young People Northamptonshire to work with volunteers to provide a Daventry Youth Hub, a safe space for young people to socialise, enjoy arts and crafts, sports and games and help them develop into confident and responsible adults.

In addition to the Youth Hub, the Town Council has also appointed Guiding Young Minds, a specialist youth provider, who provide support and mentoring to those youths who wouldn't normally attend an organised youth hub but would engage with a specialist youth worker who can build trust and help guide them to a better path in life.

Daventry Town Council is unanimous in taking action to ensure children and young people get the best opportunities and experiences. This is a long-term plan and at crucial time for young people, post pandemic and in a cost of living crisis. It has never been more important to invest in local youth provision.