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Caroline, Jamie, Katie and Chris

The Beverley Youth Centre on Burdon Road in Beverley was built in the 1960s. Since its construction it's provided a place for young people on the Swinemoor Estate to take part in a range of activities. Chris Nicholson, Jamie Lewis, Katie Fenton and Caroline Harrison visited the Late Show to talk about what the centre does for the needs of young people in the area.

Chris has been involved with the centre for nine years but has lived on the estate nearly all his life. His interest of working with youngsters stems from his time as a rugby coach in the town and has developed since then. He says he's impressed by what the centre achieves and how it encourages a positive response from young people who use its services. One of the rewards he gets from being involved is seeing young people take an interest in community affairs and their environment.

Katie Fenton has worked with the East Riding Youth Service for almost seven years and came to the role through her voluntary work with young people. She works on a variety of projects aimed at giving youngsters practical advice. This ranges from issues
involving teenage pregnancy, sexual health issues and anti-smoking campaigns.

Jamie Lewis has been with the service for just a year and describes himself as the 'baby' of the team. Like Katie he works on a number of different projects and was also a volunteer worker who's been involved in a number of youth centres across the East
Riding. Jamie helps oversee a project which involves young people taking home a 'model baby'. The baby needs to be fed and attended to and when it cries can't be switched off, even in the middle of the night. He says that very often young people who are having difficulties will often turn to the younger staff members of the centre for help and support if they're having any problems.

Caroline came into the youth service 25 years ago on a part time basis but now manages the centre ensuring that a wide range of activities take place. The centre is particularly proud of its record on providing out of school facilities. The centreΜύ organises 'breakfast clubs' to ensure schoolchildren receive a healthy nutritional breakfast before school to help them prepare for the school day.

At the other end of the day they also run 'homework clubs' so that children have time and space to do their work in a friendly environment. There's more room for more unusual activities too. Chris who works at the Driver Training School at Leconfield arranged for a group of British Army Gurkhas to visit the centre for a 'cultural' evening and work with youngsters to make a traditional dish which was welcomed warmly by all those savouring the fruits of their labour.

Not all activities are based around the centre. Regular trips are organised to attractions and events around the country. Youngsters have been taken to Flamingo Land.

One thing the team were keen to stress is that although they manage the centre, the young people who use its' services very much have a say in what the centre does and are involved in organising their own events and entertainment.