Network Ryde, Ryde Town Council’s Youth Service, have launched their ‘Virtual Youth Club’ as the ongoing coronavirus crisis has forced the service to temporarily close the doors of their popular youth café, 147.
Still keen to support and provide activities for young people, the dedicated team at Network Ryde have devised a Virtual Youth Club which commenced on Tuesday.
Activities such as arts and craft ‘mini-makes’, science experiments and fitness sessions will run Monday to Friday, hosted by the Network Ryde Youth Workers. Some sessions will be live over Facebook or Instagram, giving the young people a chance to interact with the youth workers. The sessions will also be viewable after the activity has taken place if people are not able to join in live.
All activities will be designed to be fun and engaging, using simple everyday materials easily sourced from the home. Network Ryde will also be encouraging young people to take the lead on the Friday sessions by having a ‘young person takeover’.
As well as the Virtual Youth Club, the Mayor of Ryde, Cllr Michael Lilley, has funded wellbeing care packs for 53 young people that will consist of notepads, mindfulness activities, pencils, cake mix, resources, sanitary items and more to aid the mental health and wellbeing of youngsters in Ryde. The packs will be created and dropped to their houses by the Network Ryde Team.
Michael Lilley, The Mayor of Ryde, comments:
“I am delighted to support the innovative and imaginative initiative by the fantastic Network Ryde Team. Self-isolating for young people must be very tough and lonely. This virtual youth club is an inspirational way for them to keep in touch with friends and provide activity at home. Covid-19 has changed our lives but community spirit and creativity like this provides hope”.
Maiya Dixon, Session Lead, comments:
“We recognise that during this difficult time, Young People and their families have the potential to experience a lot of stress and anxiety. We hope that we can continue to engage via the Virtual Youth Club with as many of our Young People as we can who attend 147, and also to a wider audience, who do not attend at the moment but who may follow our social media accounts.
“If any young people have ideas for our “Young Person Takeover” sessions we would love to hear them and to get in contact through our Social Media accounts. Similarly, if a young person has any concerns or worries at this time, we would urge them to get in touch with us so we can offer support and signpost to relevant agencies if required through these tough times”.
