Bolton Be The Change launches appeal for help for youngsters

The Daubhill based Be The Change Youth Project has been left with no choice but to turn away young people in need in recent times due to its huge popularity.

But a solution could be on the cards after plans for a new, bigger youth centre were given the go-ahead, but the group needs the public’s help to raise funds to make this possible.

Chief executive officer Daniel Sukula said: “The fundraiser is so important for us now because we are literally at full capacity, and we have had to stop our referral service and haven’t been able to take on any more young people.

“So the new centre will let us expand and take on more young people.

The club runs a range of activities for young people (Image: Be The Change)

“It’s so important, now more than ever, because so many youth services have closed down and there are no other centres like this in this area.

“And this area is one of the most deprived in Bolton.”

Be The Change, which works with youngsters between the ages of 11 and 25 has been based at the Willows Community Centre in Daubhill.

Be The Change hopes to offer more activities to an expanded membership (Image: Be The Change)

But they have had to share their space with up to seven other groups and have been limited to running just three sessions a week, which Mr Sukula says hasn’t been enough to meet demand.

The new premises, which will be based on Back Deane Church Lane West will include a dance studio, game room, music studio, kitchen, meeting space and computer room.

Be The Change has now hit capacity but hopes to expand (Image: Be The Change)

There are also plans for a counselling room which Mr Sukula has previously said will focus on supporting young people’s mental health.

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Bolton Council has already granted approval to the planned move but Be The Change needs support and funding from the public to make this a reality.

Mr Sukula says this will help them to continue and expand on the vital work his group does in supporting Bolton’s youngsters.

He said: “At least our centre can make sure that young people have somewhere where they are safe, there are activities for them and which keeps them away from crime, which is the most important thing.”

Anyone interested in supporting the fundraiser can go search Youth Project Building Refurbishment on crowdfunder.co.uk.