At the beginning of 2015, Staffordshire County Council closed all youth clubs in the region. Since then members of our community have been working hard to resurrect these clubs for the benefit of our county’s young people. One success story is the Cheadle Youth Club.
Started by Staffordshire Clubs for Young People (Staffs CYP) with funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, the Cheadle Youth Club has been going from strength to strength – and I had the delight of visiting, and chatting to its members, on the 27th November. During the visit I had the pleasure of meeting Leo Bailey Heath, who was an engaging and fun 11-year-old boy. He made me a fruit kebab and challenged me to a game of pool. He then asked me to promise to visit him and his friends at his school in January. I am delighted to say I have been in touch with Mrs Brickley from St. Gregory’s Roman Catholic Academy in Longton and will be visiting them in the New Year in my court uniform, as promised.
It is heartening to see such a thriving youth club in our county, providing young people with a safe place to socialise, learn and relax, and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the Club for creating such a fantastic, inspirational community.