OnSide Warrington Youth Club (WYC) is continuing to adapt so they can support as many young people as possible in the face of social distancing and isolation measures during the Coronavirus pandemic.
At times like this, young people need the support of youth workers and a range of organisations including WYC, now more than ever.
WYC is working closely with Warrington Borough Council, partners and other stakeholders to temporarily reshape their offer to provide integrated services that best meet the needs of young people and the wider community as the situation evolves.
The well-being of young people, staff, families, visitors and the most vulnerable in our society is always our absolute priority.
They have temporarily paused the Youth Club based at the Peace Centre and their open access gym sessions based at the Junction at 3A Buttermarket Street. In place of these sessions they are implementing several creative and dynamic solutions to ensure they can continue to support young people within current guidelines around social distancing and isolation.
They will:
· Launch a programme of street-based work to identify and support those children and young people who are not at home, starting today, Monday, March 23.
· Continue to run small group sessions with limited numbers and maintain one-to-one sessions with those most in need whilst maintaining a focus on best practice around hygiene.
· Introduce one-to-one phone and online contact for young people needing to speak to a Youth Worker, supporting good emotional health and wellbeing, and safeguarding vulnerable young people.
· Live stream across social media platforms to increase engagement and create a positive online community for those feeling most isolated.
· WYC is using a range of different approaches to support the area’s most vulnerable young people whilst reducing social isolation for their members.
The Youth Club at the Peace Centre will not be running on Monday – Thursday evenings and they ask children and young people not to travel to the centre. They will provide updates on their website and social media channels on how to access services and participate in exciting online sessions.
Their team will stay very close to the detail and are maintaining agile plans so they can respond quickly and appropriately to this highly dynamic situation.
If anyone is feeling concerned about the Youth Club closing and how they will manage with a period of social distancing or self-isolation and would like support with this, please get in touch on their main phone number 01925-909660 or email [email protected]
If you need someone to talk to during this time and you can’t contact anyone at WYC go to their Need Help section on their website where there are links to local organisations and mobile apps – www.warringtonyouthclub.co.uk
