Welcome to Potterne Youth Club

We are closed to regular activities during the summer break. Look out for special community events across the area. A normal timetable will resume at the start of the NEW academic term.

19th May was a fantastic day with Steve putting together a scratch team of PotterneYFC  to take part in a football tournament at MelkshamFC organised with Wiltshire Police. Some great team work, encouragement and determination by the young people. A memorable day of mixed results but they came away with the Sportsmanship Award. Well chuffed. They did themselves proud.

Sadly you wont see this in the local press or wider afield as it is not deemd of interest to most people or newsworthy ( it was shared with local media before and after the event  but never made it to print). But we just wanted to say - What great bunch of young people we have in the Potterne and surrounding area to Devizes and thank you to the two Police officers who joined Steve Dewar last week to present the FAKE ( Firearmes and Knives) evening at Potterne Youth Centre. Some great questions and listening. Even though this... is a village and there are not the numbers of people or community awareness and impact that such issues tend be publicised. It was great to see around 20 people, mostly teens hear about the issues that impacts on so manay lives. Now people may criticise the police or young people for the handling of this issue but we know that a frank , honest and open discussion needs to be had and young people need to be informed and enabled to make a postive difference in their lives and the communities they live in. With removal to Youth services in Wiltshire and across the country and cuts to Police, every opportunity to share positive news and how young people are being valued in communities should be shouted from the rooftops. Giving Hope in words and actions

Are you in Potterne this Saturday 2nd March.All are welcome to come and join the Potterne Youth Centre Committee, Youth Club leaders and guests to officially open the NEW pathway and ramp access to the village Youth  Centre. Join is for refreshments at 3pm till 4pm and see what you think. Thank you to all those who have been involved in this process and construction.

The Potterne PYC Burns Night took place again on a Saturday 26th January 2019 . This has become an annual fundraiser for Potterne Youth Centre. We are particularly thankful to those who came along for a great evening of food and entertainments and for those who signed up to join the  HaPPY patrons of the Potterne Youth Centre. We  always want to say a huge "Thank you" for your continued support. Along with the excellent food at a great price, a team of young people were on hand to serve tables and show there appreciation. The funds raised from this event will help go towards keeping the Youth Centre Building  running. It is things like the heating, insurence, water etc that help make the club a warm and welcoming place for activities and support.....Thank you for the part you play.

Young people supported this by being part of our serving team alongside Steve Dewar and serving all the guests what attended. A special thank you to the Centre Commitee and families for helping with the catering and wonderful decorations.

We also presented “ The Angie Gale Memorial Award” to show appreciation of service to the local area. This is our tribute to a member of the community who sadly passed away in 2016 but will be remembered for her role in the community and for her heart for young people. The award this year was awarded to Bethany Hollow for her commitment, dedication and enthusiasm. She may be small small in stature but big in character and we think she is great and well deserving this year. Well Done. 

Sadly numbers of adult volunteers are few and this does affect the number of activities we are able to run on weekly and each month. We need your help to keep sessions running and to be able to offer more activites and events for local young people. We want to enable you with training and  support to answer any questions you may have, equip you to use your skills is a positive way as part of a proactive team and help children and young people through youth clubs, mentoring and support.

Introduction to Community Youthwork

Volunteer Training Day

Are you interested in knowing more about volunteering and supporting young people in your local area?

Are you currently involved with Youth Work Activities but would like some support?

This FREE Training day will cover:

Session one – Introduction to youth work

Session Two – Safeguarding

Session Three – Responding to challenging behaviour

For more information or to book http: www.wiltshireyfc.org.uk/training/

Wiltshire YFC Snr Youth Worker Steve Dewar [email protected] Mobile: 07340930845

Supported by the Local Youth Network

 or please do get in touch if you would like to know more information.

We believe young people have great ideas and energy to make a difference in our communities and society. Steve Dewar organised a visit to the Youth Centre by Claire Perry ( Devizes MP and the new Minister at the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy) on March 16th 2018.Some local young people asked great questions and challenged the MP on several issues and then showed Clare Perry around the youth centre. We are also planned a trip to Westminster later in the year for young people to see where decisions and politics take place in London. You are never too young to challenge those in power, stand up and be a voice, help make a difference and be a postitive change. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but in the way we live our lives we set an example to all. The importance of our votes and decision making should be informed and empowering.

For several years now we have organised a Christmas social trip to JRC Global Buffet in Swindon whohave been serving up fresh, mouth-watering dishes from all around the globe and all under one roof. Since starting in 2016, 2017 was bigger than ever with 19 local young people joining us. From the colours and spices of authentic Indian dishes to the delicacy and simplicity of a Japanese Teppanyaki grill. From the freshest Italian pizzas to the humble British roast that are part of the 300+ dishes served and enjoyed every day at one of their 6 branches over the south of England. It is a stylish yet casual dining experience  combining quality, authentic food and techniques in a great environment at unbeatable prices.

With the food being prepared and cooked live in front of our eyes, this is a buffet dining experience with a difference. The restaurants are equipped with live cooking stations where specially trained chefs provide a show as well as exceptional food sourced and prepared as if located in one of the 12 main countries which form the foundation of the menus. And with the dining experience being a set price for all you can eat, you can literally have the world at your taste buds – but make sure you leave room for dessert, there was plenty to choose from!

We had a great night thanks to the organisor YFC Youth Worker Steve Dewar, adult volunteers, the kind finacial support from local people and ofcourse all the young people who got involved and tried something new.

Well we had great group of young people go along this year and we are going again later in 2019- Watch this space.

Its been an amazing adventure.

After being shortlisted from 100's of nominations the Potterne Community Garden Project was chosen to help celebrate BBC Gardeners World 50th and BBC Points West 60th Anniversaries.

You can watch the story unfold on BBC Gardeners World throughout July and August in episodes 18,22 and 24 along with updates on BBC Points West and Local BBC Wiltshire Radio. And look out for updates in 2018

More information on the above on www.potterneyouthclub.co.uk website or FaceBook page.
Steve Dewar: phone 07930 982520; email [email protected]
Fi Walker: phone 07470 372373, 01380 727327; email [email protected]

Community Garden Gatherings will be taking place throughout the year with local residents helping to maintain the area, share knowledge, pass on wisdom and most of all encourage one another and share our stories. 

and while we have you attention!
Potterne Youth Club are also desperately looking out for more adult leaders to support Steve Dewar on a Friday evening at the youth centre. This will be on a rota basis along with other volunteers (Training and ongoing support provided). We need your help to keep the Youth Club running.

We can now share some great news..... At the start of the year Steve nominated a community garden project to be part of a transformation focus to celebrate Anniversaries for BBC Gardeners World and BBC Points West. Well it was shortlisted and have just found out from BBC Presenter Ali Vowles that the space in Potterne has been selected. Would you like to see how you can help or be part of it. We have some community groups but need more volunteers to get stuck in. Come and join us If you are young or young at heart and want to help make a positive difference.Keep an ear out to BBC News Channels. But If you would like to get invloved, interested to know more or indeed join our commited community team then please contact Wiltshire YFC Youth Worker Steve Dewar by email [email protected] or call 07930 982520.

An introduction to the community project was aired on BBC Gardeners World on Friday 28th July. With support from BBC presenters Joe Swift and Flo Headlam, a group of enthusiastic volunteers young and old are doing a great job of getting started. We are very thankful for the support and guidance from several local companies Artisan, TDS Gardening, CJ Worthy Fencing, Gaiger Brothers, Cleeve Nursary, Kubota, Malloy Groundworks, Coppard Plant Hire and Sydenhams suppliers.

For more information, have a look at our Activities -> Community Garden page.

A HUGE THANKYOU to those that took part in the British Spring Clean and helped Steve Dewar look after the community we live in.

  It was great to have generations getting involved and residents getting to know others in this community.

The youth club played host and gave out tea, coffee and cake for the volunteers.

 10 full bags of rubbish were collected by Wiltshire Council.

Have a look in the Devizes edition of the Gazzete and Herald for more pictures and details.

Thank you to all those you contributed and supported 2 recent fund raising events in 2017 at the Youth Centre. 

Those who came and joined us to play your favourite board games raising money for the NSPCC. 

A good turnout at the recent Table Top Sale supporting Julias House Hospice that has just opened in Devizes

A Dementia Friends information session 

We want to help make Potterne and Devizes Dementia Friendly by learning more about dementia and how it can affect people.

In 2016 a session was arranged by Steve Dewar and led by a Dementia Friends Champion from Wiltshire charity Alzheimer’s Support and was open to anyone and offered a great starting point for communities wishing to become dementia friendly, or for anyone who wishes to increase their understanding of dementia. 

www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk

www.dementiafriends.org.uk 

or email: [email protected] or call 01380 739055

Local parents and residents are need to work together to help young people in our community

Activities take place at Potterne Youth offering a free and safe environment for young people in the Potterne area to chill out and build positive relationships.

Potterne Youth Club has been open Wednesday afterschool  and Friday evenings for secondary ages.The sessions can offer young people -  - activities such as games, pool table, Movie Nights, chill out area, refreshments, theme nights and other support.

These sessions are attended by many of the the local children and staffed by volunteers from the local area who have a heart for the young people of the village and want to help make a real difference in their lives.

Like you, we know  that Potterne village and surrounding area is full of young people who need something to do, people to talk to and a place where they can be encouraged, supported in a fun and engaging environment.

For all these activities to continue, we need more adult volunteers to help keep the sessions going and to manage the large numbers of children that come along.  COULD YOU COMMIT TO HELP ON A WEEKLY OR MONTHLY ROTA?

For more information on getting involved and how to support childrens and youth projects, you can contact Steve Dewar on 07930982520

or email  [email protected] www.wiltshireyfc.org.uk or visit www.potterneyouthclub.co.uk

As a mark of repsect to all those who have served and make sacrifices for our freedom, It's lovely to see so many young and older residents from the village join together for a service and laying  of wreaths on Remebrance Sunday  (This year it will be Sunday 11th November 2018) ....

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them

In a addition to the other facilities on pool table, computers, cafe area etc. Have you ever wanted to try and make a model ? Or want to join others to share and learn new skills. Come and join us on Wednesdays 3.30 till 5pm. All skill levels welcome. Aircraft / Cars / Boats and everything else. Projects include WW1 up to the modern day.

Contact Steve Dewar if you would like to know more

 NEW EVENTS UPDATED

PLEASE CHECK THE CALENDER FOR UP AND COMING ACTIVITES

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Developing activites and maintaining the running of a purpose built Community Youth Club facility within the parish, that can be utilised by the local residents and those from the surrounding area.

Potterne Youth Club

Silver Street

Potterne

SN10 5NG