Princetown Youth Club go adventuring thanks to cash boost

Isolated youngsters from Princetown have thanked creative villagers and a charity for helping them take part in adventurous activities.

Princetown Youth Club members received £2,000 from Princetown Crafters and Princetown Charity Shop for trips and days out.

The donation comes after the club were honoured to receive a visit from Prince William when he visited the club’s centre in September.

As the Duke of Cornwall, he owns the Duchy of Cornwall estate, which includes much of Princetown. He funded major maintenance improvements to the centre after seeing how they were needed on an earlier visit. He revisited to see the completed work and chatted to members.

The community also stepped in to help the youth club, after hearing that not only was the club unable to meet at its HQ for a time, but it could not afford for its members to go on trips.

However, the club has made big steps forward as Sinead Devlin, youth club leader, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Princetown Crafters and Princetown Charity Shop for their incredibly generous donations of £1,000 each towards the young people at Princetown Youth Club.

“These donations have made such a huge difference to our young people, enabling us to continue providing fun, engaging activities and opportunities that they might otherwise miss out on.”

The funding goes towards baking/cooking sessions, new equipment and ingredients for the youngsters to enjoy. It has also helped keep the minibus running, allowing members to go out on evening and day trips to places such as Central Park, Plymouth Hoe, fun fairs and much more.

Sinead, who used to be a club member herself, said: “Living in a rural and isolated area can sometimes limit the opportunities available to our young people, so being able to offer these experiences, get them out and about, and create lasting memories together means so much.

“We are incredibly grateful to both organisations for their kindness and support. Their donations are making a real difference to the lives of our young people, and we would love to recognise their generosity and thank them publicly.”

Sinead said: “It was incredibly exciting to see Prince William visit Princetown Youth Club, and we were really pleased and proud that he took the time to come and meet the young people and hear about what we do.

“His visit was important because it gave our young people the opportunity to feel heard and valued, and to showcase the positive work that happens at the club. It was also a great chance to highlight the importance of youth services and the difference they can make in the local community.”

Although the club centre is now watertight, there is no longer have a music room or dedicated cinema and games room. and some equipment damaged by water, with little funding to replace it.

Sinead added: “We want to reach young people interested in technology, gaming, music and digital activities as they give them a reason to leave the house, meet others and do something positive.

“Our aim is to bring the youth club up to date and create a space that feels relevant and exciting to young people.”