2nd February 2022
The Management Team of Thurso Youth Club were delighted to thank the various funders and tradespeople who all contributed to the project at an event in Thurso Youth Club on Sunday 30th January.
In partnership with the Rotary Club of Thurso the Youth Club took on the £60k refurbishment which included replacing the roof and outside walls, installing insulation then completely refitting the inside as a modern commercial standard kitchen.
Funding came from The Highland Council Coastal Communities Fund; Adapt & Thrive; Rotary Club of Thurso; m2pcs. Donations from Ashley Ann and Lee Mackay Joinery Contractors Ltd.
The kitchen is currently used by the Youth Club to produce hot snacks and meals at the very successful weekly Friday Youth Café for High School pupils and by Thurso Community Development Trust for their Community Hot Meal service.
The kitchen is a resource that, along with the building, is available for use by the community.
In 2020 the Youth Club building was the central point of the Community Response led by Thurso Community Development Trust, providing over 100 hot meals 5 times a week and receiving and distributing hundreds of books, jigsaws, crafts and toys to the community.
Since facing the threat of closure in 2018 the Youth Club has managed to source alternative funding to provide services for children and young people.
Although having to close during lockdown as soon as was allowed the clubs reopened under the relevant guidelines and continued to provide a vital service for children and young people.
There is currently a staff of 7 paid leaders, running 7 clubs per week for children from P1 up to High School age.
As well as providing a safe place for children and young people to have fun and enjoy the various activities on offer, the Youth Club is also offering Youth Achievement Awards which encourage young people to learn new skills, gain confidence, help their local community and gain an accredited award.