LIPHOOK Youth Club is returning to the Millennium Centre this month, after it was suspended in July because of lack of support.

The youth club, aimed at young people aged 11 to 16, will reopen on February 22 and continue twice a month during school term.

Volunteers have been meeting regularly to plan its future and hope to run weekly sessions from the stat of the autumn term.

Dr John Tough will continue as chairman and Barbara Cuerdon was appointed secretary. Kayleigh Rigby remains lead youth worker, as she has been involved with running the club since it was founded.

The club’s child protection officer is Karina Gifford, a volunteer who used to work with the county social services department.

In addition to indoor and outdoor sports and games, such as football, badminton, basketball, table tennis and pool there will be other activities including craft, music, cooking, gardening and occasional trips out.

The youth club had to increase its subscriptions to £1.50 for each attendance but this will include a hot toasty and soft drink on arrival.

Liphook Youth Club has been running successfully since 2009.

In 2011, the club received the prestigious Youth Club of the Year Award from Hampshire and Isle of Wight, now 4Youth.

Initially, youth workers were provided by Hampshire County Council youth service until 2013 when Community First took over on its behalf. The county partly funded the work until it was stopped at the end of March last year.

Dr Tough told The Herald: “The management committee agreed at that time it could not commit to the cost of employing Community First youth workers. At that time the youth club had only two volunteer workers and had to suspend its operations.

“A campaign to recruit volunteers and management committee members was carried out last summer when leaflets appealing for help were delivered to homes throughout Liphook.

“This was successful and the youth club now has nine volunteers who are currently being trained by 4Youth, the organisation which represents youth clubs in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”

Liphook Youth Club will meet every first and third Monday of the month at the Millennium Centre on Ontario Way from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

For more details, call Dr Tough on 01428 724492 or e-mail [email protected].