OXHILL YOUTH CLUB ANNUAL REPORT 2021 – 2022
Officers
President
Chairman Mrs G Wilson
Vice Chair Mrs J Charlton
Secretary Mr k Stafford
Treasurer Mrs J Oldfield
Auditor R Dodds
Bank Lloyds Stanley
Paid Leaders :- Joanne Charlton,
Auxiliary workers:- Mark Charlton, Megan Whetstone, Kyle Stafford kick start worker Chantelle Kirk
Volunteers :- Nerise Oldfield, M Binney, Faye Kirk, Liam Dixon, Claire Mitchell, Kian Dixon, Rachael Miller. Sarah Miller, Adam Miller, Kate McGuigan, Alyssa McKee
Oxhill Youth Club is situated at Kyo Lane, Oxhill, Stanley. The youth club is situated next to a central bus route and young people can access the youth club from neighboring villages. Young People travel from as far as Dipton , Annfield Plain, Stanley, South Moor, Catchgate, Lanchester, New Kyo and Stanley. After two arson attacks one in 1999 and the other in 2005 the club re-opened in December 2008 it is a busy and well used youth club and community facility.
The philosophy that it is more important to take part than to win is one embraced by the club. There are also opportunities for other groups to use the facilities. A variety of other community groups both for adults and young people use the facilities at Oxhill Youth Club, this includes , Shikkari karate Kai, Shikkari Tiger Cubs, slimming world and is used by the Prince’s Trust.
Oxhill Youth Club has always operated a full and varied programme, trying out new initiatives alongside more traditional youth club activities. We have responded with enthusiasm and vigour to a changing world following the current pandemic, The club is now working back to normal after following all social guidelines during the pandemic and now offers four full time sessions per week. Oxhill Youth Club continues to be associated with the Duke of Edinburgh Award program, and the Key both of which has been impracticable during the pandemic but we are now in full swing to continue. We have worked with Stanley Youth Consortium in response to finding funding.
Aims & Objectives:
Oxhill Youth Club by Constitution is here: “to promote the benefit of the youth of the area without distinction of sex or of political, religious or other opinions by associating with the local authorities, voluntary organisations and the inhabitants of the area in a common effort to provide facilities for the educational, social and recreational leisure-time occupation of the young people served by the Centre.
We have had a very strange year for everyone here at Oxhill, we finally managed to open on July 5[th] with all sections up to 15 members. During the weeks that followed although our numbers were small, members managed to cover a variety of activities including making masks for family and friends in a variety of materials, took part in a Halloween maize, constructed by leaders, did an indoor trick or treat, and a first aid course. The junior section started work on the John Muir Award. All members also took part in a questionnaire to benefit the consortiums understanding of effects on young people during the pandemic. Towards Christmas activities continued, but numbers were again kept low due to the tier system. Our main event was usually our annual panto but since this was impossible this year we decided to try to brighten some of the lives of elderly people in the local area . Members together with siblings, parents and grandparents in bubble groups and covid safe distancing, sang Christmas songs and hymns outside two residential care homes and one elderly pensioners cul de sac followed by another local street where elderly ex helpers of the youth club lived. This was really well received and was mentioned on our local area face book. Once again at the end of the year we were in lockdown again. Our leaders again sprang into action, they kept junior members together with Zooms and playing fortnite, quizzes and foraging hunts. A support group concentrated on anti social behaviour, on line safety, team building, self esteem and mental health issues. As we were unable to do our annual pantomime, number 55, members got together through zoom and managed to put together a montage of members performing our finale song “ Reach” which went viral with almost two thousand views. After the death of the Duke of Edinburgh our leader Joanne and past member Amber Fisher were interviewed and their thoughts and recollections about the duke were broadcast on Heart, Capital and smooth radio. The Duke of Edinburgh sessions are on hold at the minute due to covid as we feel members need the full impact of expeditions and experience that Duke of Edinburgh gives across all aspects and will continue when we feel it an appropriate time to do so. We reopened on March 12[th] to all members on outdoor activities with movie nights, marshmallow roasting, trampolines, Easter egg hunts and team
games for all sections. Indoor activities started on 12[th] April and all sections are now up and running well. We feel that once again this year we have achieved a good quality of youth work practice over a variety of areas and have worked tremendously hard this year during lockdown.
Targets for 2020/21
Although we are no longer governed by Durham County Council we still feel it is important to measure the work we do.
Reach (suggested number of people through the door) When Covid 19 came to our doors and we had to go into lock down. Leaders kept in touch with groups of members through zoom and games on line. We reopened on July 5[th] with reduced numbers in accordance with government regulations thanks to the hard work done by the leaders to get everything in place for a safe and long awaited opening..
Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh on going but no expeditions due to covid
Young people are usually involved in project work looking at a range of different issues with funding from Stanley AAP but this year everything has been very different.
Usually planning for youth work sessions was done following regular consultation with young people who attend the club; ensuring issues that were covered were current to them and we have tried to continue this through out the pandemic where possible.
Young people have had access to the youth club throughout most of the year when not in total lockdown, a programme including, a variety of activities suitable for the circumstances we all found ourselves in. Leaders kept members and their families in touch throughout the pandemic through zoom and whatsApp. This was widely used and much appreciated by all. A big thank you to the leaders for all their hard work to keep us together during this time.
Lead worker :- Joanne Charlton management of sessional youth work and staff over all nights planning and evaluating sessions
making social and emotional capabilities with young people. Megan Whetstone
supporting all sessions planning and delivery
Kyle Stafford
supporting all sessions planning and delivery Mark Charlton
supporting all sessions planning and delivery
All leaders undertook safe guard training levels one and two. Joanne and Kyle also undertook level 3
Mental health first aid training
Health and safety
Customer service and Food hygiene
working on the John Muir award, bird feeders,bug hotel,and clean up
group parachute games
food tasting sessions fire safety and marshmallow toasting
Our youth club was nominated for the Durham High Sheriff award and won within our section for the club. We then won Durham youth council award for youth groups and our leader Joanne won the individual youth voice award and we are very proud of them.
This has been a difficult year all round for everyone with all the thing that have happened but as usual Oxhill Youth Club has confronted them head on and continue to deliver the excellent work for the community well done everyone and thank you for your support.
Easter egg Easter egg hunt mask making competition winner
basic first aid x box and play station games
Carol singing outside car homes and streets, with siblings, families and friends .
Zoom meetings with jumiors
Durham youth council awards Joanne winner for youth voice award
Halloweeen activities
the high sheriffs award christmas crafts
in respect of the
D uke of Edinbrough presentation mental health awareness
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