'There's still hope' - South Tyneside youth centre's rallying call to save it from permanent closure
“We still have hope that we can find a way to carry on.”
Bosses at a £1m funded South Tyneside youth club which has closed its doors due to a cash crisis have launched a last-ditch bid for support, insisting: “There is still hope.”
They confirmed they had contacted several businesses and a national charity to try to keep Clegwell & Hartleyburn Community Hub (CIC) financially afloat.
Although they could not name names, they said the companies approached were based in the north east and had links to South Tyneside.
The Hebburn centre closed its doors on Friday, October 30, due to a cash shortfall that has left it unable to cover running costs but will reopen if backing can be found.
About £92,000 a year is needed, but £8,000 would allow paid volunteers to deliver short term provision to dozens of children while the fight for longer term support continues.
Garry Jennings, its senior positive youth activities worker, said the decision to close had left staff and children “devastated”, but he added: “We still have hope that we can find a way to carry on.
“We have closed our doors, but they can be reopened if financial support can be put in place.
“We are being as pro-active as we possibly can to find the money we need and which would allow us to continue providing this very important support to local children.
“We have applied for funding through a number of businesses and have also just completed an ‘expression of wish’ with a national children’s charity.
“It is early days as far as those bids are concerned but of course there is a chance help will be given.
“The centre does tremendous work with young people and everyone involved very much wants that to continue.”
Youngsters use the centre’s shared sports facilities, computers for learning, kitchen and meeting room in an initiative praised for helping keep them off the streets.
It opened in 2022 after hub volunteers raised £210,000 and £766,000 was given by the National Lottery Community Fund across eight grants for development and ongoing support.
The centre was the next step in an ongoing project led by the CIC and supported by Northumbria Police which was credited with reducing anti-social behaviour.
Such was its success that Northumbria Police shared with other Forces how the scheme was run.
However, in early October the CIC confirmed an application for funding to a major national youth charity - believed to be for £45,000 – was rejected.
Without that cash, the wages of four part-time staff, who must be onsite to monitor activities, and other essential daily costs into next year could not be covered.
Mr Jennings had also called for a discussion around funding with South Tyneside Council, councillors and community leaders to find a “sustainable” solution.
In response, South Tyneside Council said it was unable to replace individual organisations’ external grant funding but could signpost them to potential funding opportunities.
The CIC has also launched an online bid for funding support via the gofundme website, with the link of https://gofund.me/94a0a1fcc