Dawlish's Red Rock Youth Centre should have been celebrating its 10th year at the end of 2020 – but the Covid restrictions meant no event could take place.

However, the charity Dawlish Action for Youth (DAY) has been looking back at the last decade, and the years of campaigning and fundraising that led up to the opening of the Red Rock Centre in September 2010.

The story goes back as far as 1997 when a group of local businesspeople, councillors and local residents decided they wanted to provide an outstanding facility for Dawlish's young people. At the time, DAY was running a youth café from the Diorama centre in the Barton car park, but the premises were too small with very limited facilities.

Fundraising and campaigning continued and progressed for the next 10 years, with support from the local authorities. The land for the centre, in Sandy Lane, was provided by Teignbridge District Council, and the town and county councils both contributed funding towards the cost of building it. In 2007, Dawlish Action for Youth Skaters won a public TV vote in the Big Lottery People's Millions contest, and was awarded £94,000 to build a skate park which would be part of the new centre.

Social activities and educational support

The Red Rock Centre was officially opened by the Countess of Wessex, and – until the Covid pandemic – has been hosting regular activities and events for children and teenagers from the ages of eight to 18. Children aged 11 and under have their own Friday evening sessions, which were attracting more than 100 attendees.

The activities on offer have included football tournaments, cooking, arts and crafts, hairdressing, nail painting, karaoke and discos. A 'chill and chat' café area has been created for older members, serving food and soft drinks. The youth centre is also home to the educational support service Chances.

Shirley Fewings, the chair of Dawlish Action for Youth, said: "Of course, 2020 has been an exceptionally challenging year for us all. The youth provision has been yo-yoing from online to a carefully managed, Covid-1919 safe meeting with limited numbers, according to the latest Government guidelines.

"Throughout, DAY are very proud that they have remained a constant in the lives of many young people, with their team of happy, helpful and supportive youth workers available at the end of a text, on the website or in a chatroom.

"Whatever the future holds, our young people will always need and deserve support, and Dawlish Action for Youth hope to continue to engage and inspire our young people for at least another 10 years!

"This can only be achieved with the generous support of local organisations, charities and individuals who continue to fund our range of projects, for which we are very grateful, thank you!"

Anyone would like further information about the youth sessions, becoming a DAY trustee or volunteering with the group is asked to email [email protected] or go to the Dawlish Action for Youth Facebook page.

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