One of Double Six Youth Club’s youngest members, Libby Hope, has been proactively raising awareness about the club’s lack of funding through social media channel Twitter, and has gained significant support from the twittersphere resulting with leader singer Jon McClure, from top local band Reverend and the Makers, making a visit to the club. 

Libby started tweeting after she discovered that the club’s future was uncertain due to a lack of funding and that the only session she attended, girls-only nights, was at risk of being stopped. 

Libby's message on Twitter was picked up by a number of tweeters including artist, Pete McKee, a number of Sheffield Steelers players, cake retailer, Fancie, and the Sheffield Star sports journalist, Richard Fidler.

Libby said, “I love this youth club and got quite angry when I heard it might shut down, so I knew I had to do something about it. At first, me and my friends wrote a letter to David Cameron but I also decided to contact celebrities on twitter and ask them to retweet my message about the club’s funding problems. I’ve had nearly 70 retweets!”

One local resident who saw the messages on Twitter was 20:20 Agency’s Sally Rushton, who asked lead singer and close friend Jon McClure, from local band Reverend & the Makers, to make an appearance at the club.
 
Jon said: “It’s great the youngsters are bothered enough to do something like this.

“They’re great, youth clubs - they give kids something to do when they might otherwise be on a computer or in the park.

“I’ve got mates who play instruments just because they went to youth clubs, so I went to give moral support.

“Youth clubs are a bit old-school but they give a bit of focus to the community.”

Richard Hay, Youth Worker in Charge at Double Six Youth Club said, “It’s fantastic what Libby has achieved and it’s great that the club means so much to her. And it’s not only her, so many of our young people have shown their support.”

“Last week we raised over £200 in a cake sale which inspired a small group of girls to hold their own event and they raised over £70 for the club! We were delighted at their initiative and effort.”

Despite the support, the club’s future is still uncertain and some of the provision has already been affected, including the closure of the facility on Friday nights. 

If you can afford to make a donation to the club, contact Richard Hay by email 66youthclub@gmail.com or call 07545 962 015. For more information about the club’s work visit www.double6youthclub.co.uk.

Special thanks to Mark Tierney, one of the best photographers in Sheffield for his support: TIERNEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Local MP Meg Munn appealed for help to try and save a local youth club from closure before the end of the month. Meg was emailed by Sophie (16) & Charlotte (17), two of the young people from the Double Six youth club in Woodseats when it was revealed that their funding was due to run out.

The club are currently trying to secure funding from a number of sources – however they won’t find out if their applications have been successful until the summer. In the meantime, young people fear their youth club will close in just three week’s time and they will be left with nowhere to go.

Professional youth workers and trained volunteers run five sessions each week for up to 50 young people a time at the club. They also run a girl’s only session once a week, to support them with advice and information.

Whilst the youth club is based in Woodseats, young people travel to the club from many different areas in Sheffield including, Heeley, Jordanthorpe, Lowedges, Batemoor, Arbourthorne and Gleadless Valley.

Meg said:

“The Double Six Youth Club serves a vital role in the local community, providing young people with the chance to take part in a range of activities and giving them a safe place to go.

The club only costs £12,000 to run for a whole year, and it would be fantastic if they could get support from local businesses, charitable trusts or individuals – no matter how large or small. It would be a real loss to our community if the club closes in just three week’s time.”

Richard Hay, Youth Worker in Charge at the club, said:

"As soon as they heard the news, the girls realised help was needed and jumped into action. I'm so proud of them for reacting in such a constructive and determined way but it comes as no surprise, they're fantastic young people and they know how important the club is for the whole community." 

If you can help, please contact 66youthclub@gmail.com or call 07545 962 015.