A Handsworth youth club has become a lifeline for young people like Emma James, who found refuge there after being terrorised by bullies who followed her home and tried to smash down her front door.
A Safe Haven for Youth
The Olive Connect runs Fridays Youth Club at Laurel Road Community Sports Centre from 5pm to 7pm each week. It was created by five young women determined to give children the same opportunities they enjoyed. It is the only space of its kind in the area after the other youth centre closed last year.
"Without youth clubs, kids loiter and find corners to hang out," said youth worker Abejai Scott-Thompson, 22, from Handsworth. "We started the Fridays Youth Club when we noticed the art of youth work is almost obsolete in Handsworth."
Transforming Lives
For Emma, whose confidence hit rock bottom after the bullying incident, the club has been transformative. "Now she comes to the youth club and all the kids love her and want to talk to her," said Abejai.
The club offers activities from sports and games to arts and crafts, with around 30 children attending weekly. The organisation has since expanded to run three programmes including 2Koi for young carers and Twigglets for SEN children.
"We want to make it bigger and better, helping more young people," said Abejai.
