Volunteer time at Steps youth centre (From Dorset Echo)

Volunteer time at Steps youth centre

12:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Martin Lea

A TEAM of volunteers is needed to help run events at a brand new youth centre in Weymouth.

The new Steps building in Chickerell Road is almost complete and is set for a grand opening this spring.

It was built with a £3million grant from the government’s ‘myplace’ programme and will offer a wide range of activities for young people 11 hours a day, seven days a week.

Facilities are being refurbished at Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre (WOEC) on Knightsdale Road as part of the scheme.

Now volunteers are being sought to run, lead or support sporting and other activities.

One of the elements of the new Steps project is a programme of ‘positive activities’ delivered after school and at weekends.

These will include a wide range of sports – from traditional football, basketball, netball and cricket to modern activities such as ‘free-running’ – plus dance and drama, as well as outdoor education activities such as kayaking, climbing and abseiling at WOEC.

To provide an outstanding range of opportunities for local youngsters, mostly 13-19s, the project is looking to recruit a dedicated team of activity volunteers.

These would be people who could make a small but regular time commitment, who relate well with young people and are interested in sports coaching, helping to run activity clubs or training to be outdoor education instructors.

No experience or qualifications are necessary, although any experience would be an advantage. In return for your time and commitment, the project will provide a range of free training opportunities and routes to qualifications.

Area Youth Worker Tom Lane said: “As well as the chance to undertake training and gain qualifications, the project provides opportunities which are rewarding and the chance to be involved with an exciting new provision which aims to make a real difference to the lives of local young people.”

If you are interested, an activity volunteers information session will be held at Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre on Tuesday, March 12 from 6.45pm to 8pm for people to register interest. Following the event, there will be an official application process.

If you would like to attend, email Tom Lane – t.s.lane@dorsetcc.gov.uk If you cannot make the evening, contact Tom Lane with your name, contact number and activity interests.