Trimdon Station Community Centre
Station Road East, Trimdon Station
Tel: 01429 882200
Registered Charity No. 1102867

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Providing a base for young people

Peterlee Mail

UNVEILING: Top left, Derek Bradley, Jim Grigg (middle left) Jodie Parkin, Jane Bellis, Dot Williams, (front) PC Joanne Godber and PCSO Rob Ramshaw.

Published Date: 12 May 2010

YOUNG people have somewhere to call their own after community leaders joined forces to install a multi-purpose unit.
Bosses at Trimdon Station Community Centre have unveiled a Youth Pod where young people can get anything from opportunities to take part in arts and crafts and playing games to advice on sexual health and vocational skills.

Police are backing the cabin, which was funded by Trimdon Foundry Parish Council and the Deaf Hill Ward Regeneration Partnership with help from the East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership (AAP).
The move comes after residents raised concerns that there was nothing in the area for young people to do.

Before the pod was installed, the centre only provided one youth club session each week, but now this has expanded to four.
Centre development manager Derek Bradley said: "Residents said there was nothing for young people to do.
"We had been using the main hall, but this will give them their own space, somewhere that is theirs."

As well as activities including board games, table tennis and pool, youth workers from Groundwork North East and Youth In Action will be on hand to offer support including advice on sexual health and chlamydia testing.
Mr Bradley said he had seen plenty of changes at the centre since he took over in June last year.
"The police came on my first day, but only because the centre door was open," he said.
"Our door is open more often now, our hours are extended and we have increased what goes on in the centre."

The Youth Pod is open for 13 to 19-year-olds on Mondays, from 5pm to 7pm, for five to 13-year-olds on Tuesdays, from 4pm to 6pm, with two sessions on Thursdays – for five to 13-year-olds, from 4pm to 6pm and for 13 to 19-years-olds, from 6pm to 8pm.

Councillor Jim Grigg, chairman of Trimdon Foundry Parish Council and the Deaf Hill Ward Regeneration Partnership, said: "The pod has already made a difference to the area.
"We have done our best to address concerns there was nothing for youths to do."

PC Joanne Godber, who covers the Trimdons for Peterlee Police, said: "I think this facility will help reduce anti-social behaviour. This is what the kids wanted."