WELLINGTON Youth Centre has become the 40th youth club in Somerset to achieve Somerset County Council’s ‘Safe and Welcoming’ award.

The ‘Safe and Welcoming’ benchmark scheme accredits the club’s safe practice and recognises the excellent work undertaken to attract young people to the club and to get involved in activities. The club was required to build a portfolio containing witness statements from the young people who attend and staff, evidence of health and safety practice and policies as well as building safety details in order to obtain the award.

Cllr Andrew Govier, of Wellington Community Support Services, said: “We are delighted that we, working with Somerset Rural Youth Project, have achieved this award. Giving young people positive activities is very important but it is equally important that this is achieved in a safe environment.

“We hope the youth centre will continue to thrive and the recent financial support from Wellington Town Council has given it fresh impetus. We hope that parents will be reassured that their children are going to a club that is well-run and where they will be safe.”

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.