New youth club opens in Silver End after village rallies round

The project has received the backing from councillors who said the village was "crying out" for more facilities.

Witham Northern county councillor Ross Playle said: “Young people in Silver End have been crying out for more things to do in the village for their age group. 

"All credit to Leila Hobart and her team for taking the initiative to set up Silver End Youth Club and provide a welcoming space each week for young people. 

“I remember from my own teenage years just how valuable these sorts of groups can be and so I was only too pleased to be able to cover their set-up costs using funds from my locality budget.”

The centre was also visited by Witham MP Priti Patel, who met the team behind the project.

She spoke to club director Leila Hobart and her colleagues Cara Cobb and Nichola Benjamin.

During her visit, Ms Patel chats to Leila Hobart, Director of the new Silver End Youth Club (Image: N/A)

During the visit, she saw youngsters enjoying themselves playing table tennis, board games and doing art projects, despite having had to brave freezing winter temperatures to get there.

Ms Patel said: “I am very impressed with the positive approach taken by Leila and her colleagues, who have made this youth club a reality against the odds. 

“I am fully supportive of the club and the way in which it is encouraging young people in Silver End to join in recreational activities and meet other people of similar ages.

“I will be supporting the club personally by donating resources to improve the facilities they are currently able to offer their members.  I hope the community of Silver End will get fully behind this excellent project.”

Youth Club director Leila Hobart said: “We really appreciated Ms Patel taking the time to come out on our club night to see what we are doing and to talk through our experiences in getting Silver End Youth Club off the ground. Her support means a great deal.”