Risca youth centre gets green light  (From South Wales Argus)

Risca youth centre gets green light 

8:12am Thursday 21st April 2011 in Gwent news

PLANS to renovate a Risca church and create a youth centre yesterday got the thumbs up from local residents who have been campaiging for the facility for two years.

Members of the Ty Sign community youth steering group welcomed £40,674 funding from Caerphilly council, which will see the renovation of the St David's Methodist Hall to include new toilets, a kitchen and disabled access.

Youngsters currently gather at the TLC cafe, a not-for-profit volunteer-run enterprise set up by the community to keep youngsters off the street seven years ago. But with growing numbers they need more space.

Volunteers and local residents have raised £10,000, with a series of fundraisers and successful grants from local organisations, to kit out a youth centre, but up until now they have had no place to use them.

The equipment including pool tables, laptops and games consoles will be housed in the new youth centre at the church hall following the improvement works.

Volunteer Glyn Nicholls, said: "We have had a lot of trouble with youngsters around the site because there is nowhere for them to go. If we get the club running it will help keep them off the streets and out of trouble."

Zoe Davis said the community association was now looking to get funding for a multi use games area on nearby land to provide sports facilities in the area.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with the project should contact the TLC cafe on 01633 601199.