The Red Rock Youth Centre, located next to Dawlish United Football Club on Sandy Lane, is appealing for new volunteers, staff, and trustees to help it get back up and running as Covid restrictions ease.

Registered charity Dawlish Action for Youth (DAY) works in partnership with SPACE and contributes towards the costs of using the youth centre.

The evening youth sessions allow the young people to 'have fun and enjoy a range of activities in a safe environment' but can only run if they have enough volunteers to support the youth workers and, after a year of closure, it's 'like starting again' as the charity needs to bring in income, employ staff, and recruit volunteers.

What help is needed?

Shirley Fewings, spokesperson for Dawlish Action for Youth, said: "At the moment we're having to turn young people away – not because of Covid - but because we don't have sufficient adult volunteers to have a safe ratio and safeguarding is our priority.

"Volunteers could be serving behind the coffee bar, or generally supporting the youth workers. Even if they can only do one evening a month, we'd still be interested as we can organise a rota.

"We're especially keen to attract volunteers who could help us develop meaningful activities with the young people and offer a variety of sports opportunities in the sports hall.

"We offer training and there may be an opportunity to move into paid work – several of our youth workers started as volunteers, and our previous youth leaders have increased their skills and abilities to help with their professional development and move in to full time employment. We do have a fabulous team and would welcome more people to join them.

"In terms of trustees, we're looking for a range of skills such as accounts or bookkeeping, secretarial skills. There's also things like identifying potential funding opportunities or projects we could get involved in."

Job Opportunity

Shirley added: "We're are currently looking to recruit a Lead Youth Worker for 16 hours a week, although a shared post would also be considered."

When is it?

The youth club runs on the following days:

- Wednesday (Senior session for ages 11+, 6-9pm)

- Thursday ('No Limits' session for adults and young people with additional needs, 6.30-8.30pm)

- Friday (Junior session for ages 8-10/11, 6-8.30pm)

How can I apply?

If you're interested in any of the above positions, please contact Shirley Fewings on 01626 889288 or 07379 109112, or email [email protected]

NB. You must be over 18 to apply, and there's no upper age limit.