Making A Difference

The Bentley Youth Club is a club for teenagers with a difference. Yvonne King, Youth Club Leader, explains: "We are here for children between 12 and 19 who have been statemented, who just want a place to go where they can be teenagers. Many are behaviourally challenged but they are still teenagers who need a place apart from parents - somewhere they can meet and talk with people like themselves."

Children who are statemented are those who have gone through a process of screening by medical services, child psychologists and social departments and are then deemed to have special needs. This may mean attending a special school or simply having a classroom helper in a regular school.

When Yvonne and her team of volunteers - Anne Mandell - joint chairperson, Mark Brown - sports leader, Matt Hayle - leader, Vicky leader, Pam Carter - arts and crafts co-ordinator, and Alaine Isaacs helper - started the group almost a year ago they were overwhelmed at the response.

"We didn't advertise, " Yvonne said, "but the first night we expected four children and had six helpers ready. 14 children came, and in three weeks we were at our maximum capacity of 27! The need is clearly massive. We now have a waiting list of 14.'

Meetings are held at the France Hill School in the sixth form centre from 7-9pm, and headmaster Eric Pain has made available the school's sporting facilities to the club. The Children With Special Needs Foundation donated money for a good quality pool table and table tennis table, which have been unqualified successes. " Some of the children now bring their own pool cues, " said Yvonne. "They really respect the equipment and the venue because it's the only place they go outside of home and school. We have a reputation as a 'Cool' club.'

The charity has provided a small shed to house all the extra equipment, and has also funded several outings for the group. "Some children had never been bowling or to the cinema Yvonne said, "and we used the experience to help them get used to being in public without their parents. It was a roaring success!"

Pine Ridge Golf and Bowling Club donated £500 to help the club celebrate its first birthday. 40 children had a day out to remember for a lifetime!

The charity is also sponsoring Lesley and Olivia two 14-year-old girls, who are working on their Duke of Edinburgh bronze awards at the club. Adam Shepherd, previously a club member and now a helper, was given funds for a bus pass to enable him to get to college. "It made such a difference - I felt normal" he told Yvonne.