2 Special Needs Youth Clubs, March 2022
Summer Programme 2021
Youth work & room with a view
Welcome back to Pershore Riverside Centre
What a delight to see local people coming in back into the Centre! A real sense of the young people, young parents and babies coming out of isolation and being able to enjoy activities in small groups again. Some simply enjoying being outside, by the river in the sun, taking time to unwind.
We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning groups later in May, to resume social activities in the newly refurbished, bright and welcoming rooms. We are also hoping to run a Covid-safe version of the River Festival in July. Look out for details as restrictions lift and plans progress. This annual event is a major contributor to our running costs.
From Pershore Times May 2021
Restoring our hall in 2021
Thank you to the William A Cadbury Charitable Trust and Friends of Pershore Hospital who kindly funded the restoration of our 26-year-old hall floor to a beautifully shiny surface, free from cracks and very much nicer to use!
We also want to express a big thanks to one of our trustees Dan Boatman for his contribution towards the re-painting of our hall. During lockdown, Dan managed to raise £541 through his Virgin Money Giving page by running half marathons organised virtually.
“Youth work now relies on volunteering and charitable donations and without our time and effort, many young people will miss out on these vital opportunities. I became one of the trustees of Pershore Youth Centre when I was elected to Pershore Town Council. Despite lockdown making it impossible to complete my original challenge of running 20 half marathons in 2020, I am delighted to donate £541 from those I could run to the Youth Centre so Brad and the team can focus on what they do best – helping our young people become the best versions of themselves! Thank you to my supporters for their donations. Every pound counts!” – Dan Boatman
In April 2021 we will be installing an 8×6 marquee which will be available for hire on our back decking overlooking the river. The rapid lateral flow testing site next door at the leisure centre can offer further reassurance for groups using our facilities. Please get in touch with any enquires at
We continue to support the young people and the wider community of Pershore and look forward to welcoming back old and new user groups to utilise our refurbished centre as soon as it is safe to do so. Yogabellies is one of our new user groups that will be delivering classes to mums and babies. We also plan to start a parent and child group that will be run from the Centre and provide an opportunity for both to socialise, and make friends. For more information on any activities or sessions contact:admin@bradpryc
NEW Parent & Baby Group Thursday afternoons
Our NEW weekly Parent & Baby Group will start on Thursday 15 April 2021, running from 1.00-2.30pm. Drop in to see what is on offer! Sessions are free so come, with or without your child, to meet other parents in a fun, friendly environment, with help at hand if needed. Young parents are particularly welcome. Feel free to bring a toy and snacks for your child. All sessions will be supported by a Youth Leader.
This new group is permitted to open, in line with Step 2 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown, announced on 22 February 2021. Although “indoor events that bring people together” are not allowed until Step 3, there are “permitted exemptions” from 12 April 2021: “this includes support groups, supervised activities for children, parent-and-child groups (up to 15 people, not counting those under five).”
For more details contact Abi or phone 01386 554713.
Graffiti workshop memorial March 2020
On 18 March, Graffiti Artist Andy Mills – aka Title – from Birmingham worked with 10 former and current youth group members to create two murals. This project is part of the refurbishment of our music room, so one illustrates the word MUSIC. The other is more poignant: “Our teenage groups suggested that we dedicate a big board to Jack Bilboe, a youth group member who died from a cardiac arrest in August 2018.” Brad, Lead Youth Worker. His friends unanimously agreed that a design around Jack’s trademark bike would be a fitting tribute.
“The graffiti workshop was organised for everyone who knew Jack and wanted to be involved in a part of the Centre that is now dedicated to Bilboe, the friend and character we all remember.” Brad, Lead Youth Worker
One of the workshop participants said that it is great to have a permanent reminder of Jack in the Centre, where they all benefitted from the support of the youth groups.
Healthy Living Project for SEND families
Sunday Club, which caters for SEND children and their families, had a big win from a Sport England. This is funding a new session leader for 6 months to engage with the group and introduce a fun approach to exercise and healthy lifestyles. Nicole Haines-Thorn will also train our existing staff to provide fun, active, sporty sessions, alongside their usual arts and crafts, and be on hand to support the families. Sport England were keen to help young people with additional needs; we wanted to counter a very isolated, predominantly indoor, start to the year for these young people and their families.
As a result of lockdown, Nicole has compiled online material and advice for families, which is also available to all SEND families who are interested. This also provides an opportunity for families to engage with others in the same situation.
Opening our doors again in Spring 2021
Great news! The Government’s Road Map Stage 2 allows us to invite larger groups of young people to return to the Centre. So, from 12 April, we will be running a number of social sessions over three evenings each week. These pre-booked sessions are scheduled to ensure the Centre is not too full at any one time and to sanitise rooms between groups.
- Junior Club (9-13s) Mondays: 45-minute sessions between 5 & 7pm
- Youth Clubs (13-17s) Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 45-minute sessions between 5.30 & 8pm
- NEW Parent & Baby Group Thursday afternoons
- Sunday Club for SEND young people 10.30-1.30 Sundays in term time
ROOM HIRE We are also looking forward to welcoming back all of our previous community users and opening our doors to new ones from 17 May, In 2020 our vision was to become more sustainable, including making best use of our great venue to generate funds for vital youth support work.
To visit the Centre to see our newly refurbished rooms and to make a booking, contact Centre Manager Abi: .
All bookings are managed in accordance with Covid regulations and Government guidelines.
Providing continuous support for young people & families
Through adaptability and creativity, dedicated youth workers at the Riverside Centre are helping teens, NEETS and children with additional needs to cope with uncertainty, interrupted learning and isolation.
Following the rules Government lockdown rules and tiers have always allowed support for vulnerable young people and their families. Complying with these rules and operating within the National Youth Agency’s guidelines, we have been able to deliver our services initially online, then in person, gradually building up to activity weeks last summer, before scaling down again. “I am a local key worker and it was very difficult to find amusement and childcare for the children due to Covid 19. It was wonderful that you managed to pack in so many great activities, whilst keepIng the children safe and healthy with all the Covid guidelines. We are lucky to have such a great facility on our doorstep in Pershore. I look forward to supporting the youth club in the future.” Edie Anderson, West Mercia Police
Providing practical support We currently offer pre-booked 1:1s and carefully managed in-house sessions in ‘bubbles’. These are an opportunity for young people to talk about any issues around schooling, relationships, loss of job opportunities etc. 16-25 year-olds who are not in employment, education or training can sign up for mentoring to explore options, make decisions, create CVs and apply for jobs or training. Contact:
Is your child struggling with home-based learning?
Do you need access to a dedicated computer or place to study?
If so, we can help!
Our Community Room is a calm space, away from the distractions of home and other pressures, with new Chromebooks linked to full-strength, safeguarding appropriate, wi-fi. Supervised by a youth worker or tutor, with learning support/motivation if required.
To ensure we meet Covid regulations, this free service needs to be pre-booked.
Email youth@pershoreriversidecentre.org.uk or message via Pershore Noticeboard.
“This room is a genuine gift from the community to the community, thanks to donations from Pershore’s Rotarians, Civic Society and Town Council. It greatly enhances our specialised support.” Abi, Centre Manager
Future plans
Our 2021 priority is to bring the hall up to date and repair the floor. Pre-Covid, around 250 people benefit from the hall each month: directly as users (youth groups and hirers) or indirectly (respite for families of SEND children who attend Sunday Club). If you are able to contribute in any way, please contact .