What is distinctive?
The Club is the only community-based youth centre in South Westminster that isn’t part of any one housing estate. It offers a ‘neutral’ environment, away from the intimidation of estate tensions, and has been providing this precious, safe and supportive environment in one form or another for many years.
Our members can join the Club from five years old through to adulthood. This early age membership provides exposure to positive role models and inspirational leaders at the Club, many of whom were members themselves. Barry Walsh, former member and former chairman of St Andrew’s Club:
“If serving young people were only about providing facilities, our Club would be little more than a sports centre. But St Andrew’s operates at the heart of its community, it has tradition; it has soul. It’s where young people undertake a host of activities in an environment of moral leadership, inspiration and support. It is a place in which respect for others is mandatory. And, something we never forget - it is a place where young people can, and should, have fun.
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We offer a youth development programme to those members keen to take on responsibility and challenges and over 75% of our current youth workers were once members themselves.
Prevention is certainly better than cure and topical issues which affect members’ lives are addressed through workshops, such as gangs and radicalisation, drug prevention, money management, healthy eating, body image and social media bullying. PC Maisie Bremer-Smith 3013AW, Vincent Square Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Belgravia Police Station:
“Covid-19 has had a huge effect on young people’s lives. Throughout the last year, the Club has been a lifeline for children who due to the pandemic, have been cut off from their friends and education. St Andrew’s Club has offered a healthy distraction to these young people who may have felt encouraged to breach the rules and cause anti-social behaviour. We can continue our work in the community, knowing that the Club is providing activities to young people, often preventing the need for police intervention and allowing local young people to express themselves in a supportive environment”
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The Club is inclusive and welcoming and provides a place for the whole community. The well-appointed Gym which offers exceptional value for money at only £35 for the whole year, is used during the day by many local adults – particularly students and those unemployed. To join our Gym, find out more
here
. To maximise the Club’s assets and resources for the benefit of our members, we have long term partnerships for renting our space to other groups who work with young people in the community, where a community discount can be applied. To hire our space, find out more
here
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