New youth hub opens in Rugby town centre for summer holidays
Free space offers activities, advice and support for young people aged 11 and over
A new youth hub has opened in Rugby town centre, offering young people a free space to spend time during the summer holidays.
The hub is based in a previously vacant unit on Market Place and is open two to three days a week throughout the school break, for anyone aged 11 and over.
Visitors can take part in a range of activities, including pool, table football, Xbox gaming and virtual reality experiences. The venue also hosts organisations offering advice, guidance and information about services and opportunities available in the local community.
The project was developed after young people told organisers there was little to do in Rugby town centre during the holidays.
It has been delivered through a partnership involving Warwickshire Police, Rugby Borough Council, the Community Safety Partnership and local youth and community organisations.
Neighbourhood policing officers, Rugby Community Safety Wardens and partner organisations will staff the hub throughout the summer.
The initiative also forms part of ongoing partnership work to address youth-related anti-social behaviour and crime across the borough.
A number of local businesses, including Rugby Central Shopping Centre, McDonald's, Asda, Tesco, Cineworld, Strikes Bar, Myton Hospice Charity Shop and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Centre, have donated furniture, games, food vouchers and cinema tickets, allowing all activities at the hub to be offered free of charge.
Rugby Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant, Guy Mountford said: "We want young people to have fun, access support and build positive relationships with police and partner organisations.
“The hub is about opening doors, creating opportunities and helping young people make positive choices.
"Whether it's trying a new activity, learning about local services or simply spending time in a safe environment with friends, we hope as many people as possible will get involved.
“We've listened and, with help from partners and local businesses, we’ve created something based on what they told us they wanted.
“Our hope is the hub will divert youngsters away from anti-social behaviour, encourage stronger community connections and make Rugby an even safer place to live, work and visit.”