A YOUTH centre going it alone after council cuts has been given a funding boost.

Steps Club for Young People on Chickerell Road in Weymouth has received much-needed support from Anglian Home Improvements in the form of a £2,000 donation.

Steps is among the youth clubs in Dorset which have seen Dorset County Council funding withdrawn.

It is now run by a charity which is trying to raise £100,000 so its work can continue. It is much more than a youth club – it provides support for teenagers based on a developmental programme of sports, arts, social activities, trips, projects and awards. With the aim of helping young people to have fun, learn and achieve, the club also provides opportunities for them to gain skills and to undertake nationally-recognised awards and qualifications.

Its reach includes young people who are excluded and vulnerable, as well as those with learning disabilities who attend its Saturday morning Gateway Club.

Steps was provided with a £3 million new home in 2013.

To mark its 50th anniversary, Anglian Home Improvements launched an appeal to find 50 worthy causes to support across the UK and was inundated with requests.

After careful consideration by a panel of judges, including TV presenter Philippa Forrester, Anglian selected Steps as one of its 50 chosen causes.

The £2,000 will help fund Steps' evening club programme, which is aimed at young people aged 13-19, as well as its Gateway Club.

Youth worker Tom Lane said: “The club is now run by Steps the charity and we’re desperately trying to raise enough money to run the building and continue our work.

“We are therefore extremely grateful to Anglian Home Improvements for its donation which will go towards the costs of providing our valuable and often life-changing service for the young people of Weymouth.”

Club member, Lauryn Haskins, 17, added: “I’ve been a member for over four years and know the difference it has made to my younger sister and I. The programme gives us so many opportunities and the staff give us amazing support. I’m a different, more confident and better person because of Steps."

Martin Rutter, Divisional Managing Director for Anglian Home Improvements South, said: “Steps stood out to the judges for the contribution it makes to the local area, not to mention the huge efforts its volunteers have gone to in order to keep the club going when faced with funding cuts, and we were delighted to announce it as one of our #50for50 winners."