Call for volunteers to safeguard Shropshire youth club

Members of Wem Youth Club, based in Leek Street, are calling for people to get involved with the voluntary-run club in a bid to offer more opportunities to youngsters in the town.

Club chairman Ian Cruise-Taylor spoke at a meeting of Wem Town Council on Thursday and called for help in recruiting a new leader.

He said: "We have had real difficulties in staffing and we are in a difficult position.

"We recruited a very good leader last year and he saw 18 young people come through the door and that is really very good.

"But unfortunately he had to leave for personal reasons in December and we are struggling to find a suitable leader.

"We have appealed for volunteers but we are struggling. We are keen for the club to get the right kind of leader for the activities.

"We have got to have a leader in place to attract young people into the club."

The club is currently unable to run activities during the week without a leader, despite the demand from youths in the town.

Councillor Pauline Dee said: "We know that young people want somewhere safe that they can go. It is all about having a safe environment where they can let their hair down and just be kids."

The chairman of the club said he agreed, but he could not advertise the club without a suitable leader.

The news comes amid a struggle from workers at Centre North East in Whitchurch who are trying to keep their town's centre open despite cuts from Shropshire Council.

But Mr Cruise-Taylor said: "If we can get the right volunteers and the right leader we can get a thriving centre. This is a voluntary run centre, unlike the Whitchurch centre which is funded by Shropshire Council."