This flagship town centre youth project in Old Christchurch Lane
is run as a partnership between Bournemouth YMCA,
and Bournemouth Youth Service. It is a non-alcoholic club
aimed at young people in the 14 to 19 year age group who, due to a
lack of facilities, congregate on the streets of Bournemouth.
This initiative provides a music venue in the basement, a
non-alcoholic bar and information area on the ground floor and a
training area on the first floor. In addition to providing a safe
place to gather, it provides a range of entertaining and engaging
activities.
There are opportunities for young people to build relationships
with qualified youth workers and to access much needed support and
advice at a critical time in their lives. It offers training in
areas such as life skills, ICT, music workshops, DJ'ing, Duke of
Edinburgh awards, arts/performance and much more. The project also
forms a training ground for volunteers and for potential youth
workers and is empowering for young people themselves since they
are very much involved in the running of the centre.
This is a high profile youth provision and in recent years has
seen visits from Iain Duncan-Smith, leader of the Conservative
party, and Prince Edward on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh Award
scheme.
For specific information on facilities, opening times, etc,
please contact Mark
Inkpen, YMCA Programmes Manager, or go to the club's website at
www.fusionyc.co.uk.