Since starting in February 2024 over 40 different students have been part of the West Exe youth club. They have taken part in lots of fun sports and activities, such as cricket, table tennis and (lots of) football! They have made new friends and played lots of games.

Young people have had the opportunity to take part in workshops and gain new skills. This has included a workshop on managing anxiety and a nutrition workshop learning about healthy eating. We had conversations about what life is like for a KS3 student, what issues they are facing, and what they would like to change in their community.

A group of the students then chose to train to become ‘Wellbeing Champions’ learning about mental health and wellbeing; how to look after themselves and support their peers. They designed two social action projects, the first of these being a poster for their fellow students to promote positive wellbeing. They wanted to get across the idea that even small things such as a wave and saying hello can improve how someone feels.

The second part of their project was based around the idea of helping older, more vulnerable members of the community. They designed wellbeing postcards for members of the Exeter City Community Trust Social Café with positive affirmations and well wishes on. These were personalised for the café members with drawings of their favourite things on. The students then came to the café in half term and delivered the postcards. They chatted to the participants, played games, and helped make the tea and coffee.

The youth club has been a brilliant experience for students, and it has been wonderful to get to know them and see how much they have accomplished over the last year.

The impact of the youth club can be summed up by one of the students "Being at youth club has made me feel a lot more confident and happier!”