YOUTH CLUBS AWARDED FUNDING FOR HOLIDAY CLUBS

Young people in the west of the Island benefitted from Manx Lottery Trust funding, which facilitated Holiday Clubs over the school holidays.

Peel Youth Club and St John’s Youth Club were both been awarded grants in the region of £2,500, which enabled them to provide a safe place over the Christmas period, and also the recent February half-term break.

As well as providing a warm space for children most in need, the Clubs supplied drinks, and hot and cold food, which the children were able to consume there, and also take home for their family if needed.

Val Goldie, Area Youth Worker for Peel Youth Club and St John’s Youth Club, said: ‘Most children look forward to the school holidays, but for some it can be a difficult time without the guaranteed school lunch and warm space. Whilst ensuring the children who attend are well fed and kept warm, we also wanted to provide them with social activities, to aid the development of their interaction and life skills.

‘By supporting these young people, we hoped to provide some relief to any members of the community who dread the school holidays. Thank you to the Manx Lottery Trust for the vital support, which allowed many children to simply be children.

Stephen Turner, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, added: ‘The Trustees were happy to award Peel and St John’s Youth Clubs with funding from the Community Warm Spaces Fund, as it is clear both provide a safe and comforting space for the many members they support.’

This grant is from the Manx Lottery Trust’s Community Warm Spaces Fund, which is funded by the Isle of Man Government. To find out more, head to: www.mlt.org.im/grant-programmes/