About us
Eighty-odd years on the same street
We started in 1939 as part of the old boys’ club movement. We are still here — the only remaining purpose-built youth club in Nottingham, and now a community hub as well.
Our vision
Continuity, through the transitions that matter
Our vision is to provide continuity for young people through key transitions in their life, developing and inspiring them through enjoyable activities — education, leisure and sport — to reach their full potential.
A lot of what we do is simply being open, being staffed, and being the same place next week that it was last week. For a child moving up to secondary school, or a teenager drifting away from it, that continuity does more than any single activity.
Our objectives
What we promise every young person we support
- 01
A safe place to learn and grow
Qualified staff and volunteers, tried and tested policies and procedures, and partnerships with a range of organisations.
- 02
Caring adults and positive role models
Ongoing relationships with adults who know young people by name and stay in their lives through the transitions that matter.
- 03
Something worth turning up for
Education, leisure and sport — diversionary and targeted activity for young people at risk of violence, disengaged from school, or from low income families.
Who we are
A Black-led organisation, in a neighbourhood that reflects it
We are a Black-led organisation, which reflects the local area — over half of Hyson Green residents are from Black and minority ethnic communities. Since the 1980s we have supported and developed young people, in particular those of Caribbean background.
From 2014 our reach widened again, to Eastern Europeans, African refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the area. The work has grown from a focus on young people alone to supporting whole families and communities facing a range of disadvantages.
We also make room for smaller BME organisations working with seldom-heard communities, including those working with children and young people, who need somewhere affordable and welcoming to run their own sessions.
The building
Open seven days a week
Formed as part of the old boys’ club movement, and running ever since.
Registered as a charity, number 1007675.
A year, local people hold their own events in our halls.
Full-time and part-time staff, backed by a group of volunteers.
Want to know more?
If you are thinking about sending your child, volunteering, or partnering with us to run a session, we would rather have the conversation than have you guess from a web page.