Cash boost to help Wolverhampton youth club expand services after lockdown

Wolverhampton Council gave the a cash boost to the centre that continues to support hundreds of children across the city.

It is currently operating limited opening hours amid Covid-19 but plans to expand its services as lockdown measures ease.

Wolverhampton Council leader Councillor Ian Brookfield said: "Giving our children and young people the best possible start in life is a key priority for the Wolverhampton Council.

"The Way is a fantastic facility for Wolverhampton and, as lockdown eases, we look forward to it being able to once again offer a full range of activities, from sport, fitness and dance to music, arts and self-improvement, to children and young people from all over the city.

"We are delighted to make this funding available for the 2021-22 financial year. It means we will have invested over £4m in The Way's development and running costs, demonstrating our continuing support for what is a vital asset for the children and young people of Wolverhampton.

"This is just part of our wider commitment to and funding for children and young people, including through our Youth Engagement Strategy, #YES, and the WV Holiday Squad."

The Way, based on School Street, opened its doors in 2016 and provides activities for children and young people aged between eight and 19, or 25 for those with disabilities, and is also used by schools and community groups. Before the pandemic, it received over 5,000 visits from local children and young people every month.

Bev Baxter, head of operations, said: “Throughout 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic The Way has continued to serve the city with a variety of online activities for young people ranging from dance classes and cooking to one-to-one mentoring sessions as well as providing resource packs so young people could engage with an average of 30 different activities online per week.

“Even when our doors have had to be reluctantly closed, we have never stopped supporting young people. This has included face-to-face sessions with vulnerable young people and an average of 100 weekly welfare calls.

“Alongside our main offer of universal youth work online and in the building when we were able to, the community response from The Way has included food parcels, hot lunch delivery, data packs so young people could access online activities and be supported in their education, and breakfast and wellbeing packs. Last month alone, we reached 735 young people and families with this additional support."

To take part in the activities, or for other support, email youthworkeronline@thewayyouthzone.org