Youngsters paddle, zorb, and canoe through Berkshire Youths summer programme

Berkshire Youth is keeping young people occupied this summer holiday with activity sessions at the Waterside Centre in Newbury.

The centre by the Kennet and Avon Canal in the town centre has recently undergone refurbishments to create a safe and fun space for young people and the wider community.

Waterside Centre youth and community manager Kelly Leach said: "The centre is a chance for young people to have a space within the local community.

"In the first few weeks we had over 360 young people, which was just fantastic.

"It's for the whole community as well, so they can connect with each other and really have a family feel."

She added: "The young people inspire me every day because they have so many different challenges as they transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s not an easy period."

Youth worker Colin Leslie began helping youngsters at the centre after the pandemic caused young people and families to experience mental health struggles.

He said: “Lockdown had lots of students disengage with school.”

But the summer programme aims to bring children back into an active environment, something many of them have been lacking throughout the pandemic.

Youth activities worker Hanner Voller-Gray said: “It has been amazing, there is nothing really around for 11-year-olds, but there’s this open and so many children are coming in. It is brilliant."

Berkshire Youth is building confidence in young people through both sports and creative activities.

The activities workers engage with the children through activities like football, rounders, zorbing and a number of water sports activities like paddle-boating, kayaking and canoeing.

Youth activities worker Joe Seward said: “We have noticed a lot of kids struggling with mental health.

“There’s kids here, on the first week they are terrified, won’t talk to anybody, but this week the difference is incredible.”

He added: “The difference in some kids has been incredible. The difference and the confidence they have built in trying things is great.”

Children on the programme have been able to leave feedback for their sessions and have called the staff ‘supportive’ and ‘friendly’.

Parents have said: “The children have loved the range of activities and got to try things they otherwise probably wouldn’t probably wouldn’t have got to try.

“Also it’s great to mix with children from other schools to widen their friendship group at an age they will start to form their own social life.”

The activity sessions are open to all children aged between 11 to 18 years old during August. They are from Tuesday to Friday, 1pm to 5pm.

No booking is required and the first 70 children to attend each session will get a place.

For more information contact thewatersidecentre@berkshireyouth.co.uk