A YOUTH group which meets at the Kings Arms Community Hub in Wellington has been given financial support to keep using the venue.

In the Mix, the Wiveliscombe-based organisation, provides youth and community services which aim to enhance learning, personal development, self-esteem and confidence while promoting teamwork and citizenship.

Services range from offering personal support to sporting activities.

It provides these services on behalf of the town council in Wellington and holds a youth club at the Kings Arms every Friday during term-time from 7 pm to 9 pm for young people aged 11 to 19 years old.

The youth club costs £1 to attend per week with access to free tea and toast.

Young people can take part in activities like pool, board games, table football, music, cooking, consoles and arts and crafts plus access support and advice.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s community committee heard on January 19 that In The Mix had asked for its annual room hire cost at the King Arms of £2,400 to be subsidised by the authority.

The mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, said: “I hope this is keeping young people off the street.”

Back in September the council backed plans for more youth services and events to be held in Wellington aimed at supporting young people.

Nick Harvey, from the In The Mix Project, met with councillors and told them how the charity had been out and about on Friday evenings in the town last summer and had engaged with around 30 young people at Wellington Park, the skate park and in the town centre.

He said that the project had worked well because they had been going out to meet young people, rather than host designated events at the Kings Arms – although a youth get-together at the hub in the High Street had proved extremely popular.

The target audience for the In The Mix Project is young people aged 11 to 19 and those less likely to get involved with other groups and sports clubs.

The council’s community development officer, Laura Batcha, said: “Supporting room hire costs ensures that external fundraising secured by the In The Mix Project is reinvested directly into frontline delivery for young people, rather than being absorbed by venue costs.

“This approach maximises value for money for the council and strengthens sustainability of youth provision.

“The In The Mix Project has recently secured additional community fundraising support, including participation in the Waitrose Green Tokens scheme, with funds directed back into local youth activity.

“Subsidising room hire therefore directly enhances outcomes for Wellington’s young people and supports stability for providing the service.”

Councillors supported the proposal to pay for the hire of the facilities at the community hub.

It is understood that the In The Mix Project will be looking to extend the service it provides in April and has asked for a year-long commitment from the council.

The room hire subsidy will form part of the council’s service level agreement with the In The Mix Project which is set to be renewed in April.