Rugby youth hub records more than 500 visits
Six-week project offered free activities for young people while supporting efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour
A youth hub set up in response to feedback from local young people has recorded more than 500 visits during its first summer in Rugby town centre.
The Youth Summer Hub ran for six weeks from the end of July until early September, offering free activities for 11 to 18-year-olds, including tennis, pool, table football, Xbox gaming and virtual reality.
The project was created after young people said there was little for them to do during the school holidays.
Based at a previously vacant unit in Rugby Central Shopping Centre, the hub also gave young people the chance to meet local police, Community Safety Wardens and other services.
Local businesses donated furniture, games, food vouchers and cinema tickets, helping keep the activities free.
Rugby Safer Neighbourhood Team officers PC Rachael Wonfor and PC Amie Hextall worked with Rugby Borough Council, the Community Safety Partnership and local youth organisations to deliver the scheme.
Rachael said: "What started as an idea between Amie and I, has become something that's made a real difference to hundreds of young people across the borough.
"The hub is just one part of the work we're doing to tackle ASB and keep communities safe across the borough. Alongside enforcement and targeted patrols, we're committed to listening to young people and creating opportunities that encourage positive choices.
Rachael added: "We wanted to encourage positive two-way relationships between youngsters, the police and partners, and we're confident those connections will continue
"We're incredibly proud of what’s been achieved and are now considering whether the hub could become a permanent fixture in Rugby, as well as whether it might work elsewhere in Warwickshire."