As a parent myself, I know how challenging the school holidays can be for parents and bored kids alike! We are, therefore, especially grateful during such times for the support and activities offered by local youth groups such as the Cadets, Scouts and Guides.
In particular, I welcome the support offered by Ifield Community Youth Service (ICYS), which was founded last year, that offers youth services to any Crawley youth aged between 11 and 19 regardless of their background.
The ICYS pulls together local organisations involved in working with young people to share ideas, resources, skills and support. The group encourage Crawley youths to get involved with their communities and provide a safe forum for them to socialise and enjoy the short lived joy of being young. From January next year, the ICYS will be looking to expand their local community involvement by enrolling in the Grow Your Own project and in local inter-generational schemes.
Following a successful application to the Crawley Strategic Youth Action Group (SYAG), the ICYS will be starting a new club at Bewbush Youth Centre in September for 10 to 13 year olds. In addition, the ICYS will be running a Leo Club on behalf of Crawley Lions at St Wilfrid’s School from October.
In the coming months, the ICYS hope to complete the transfer for Dormans Youth Arts Centre which they warmly welcome as providing their first real base of operations. Working with the current users and with help from the community, the ICYS hope to develop the youth arts work at this centre so that more young people are able to access the building throughout the week. This space could also be utilised to support others in Crawley – Oriel and Inspire amongst them – in a way that will enable a greater degree of collaboration between local youth groups.
If you are interested in supporting our local youth services, the ICYS are currently looking for paid and volunteer staff. More information can be found at: http://icys.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sessional-Youth-Support-Worker-Job-Description.pdf