The Club, a registered charity, funded by voluntary donations, was established over 150 years ago. It is the only community-based youth club in South Westminster that isn’t part of any one housing estate, offering a ‘neutral’ environment, away from the intimidation of estate tensions. Its vision is to enrich young lives by providing value for money opportunities in a safe, attractive environment for young people to develop educationally, socially and personally through an exciting and remarkably wide range of sport, art, excursions and practical skills. The Club provides members a safe and friendly environment to be care free and enjoy time with friends. It also provides our older members with much needed qualification and employment opportunities through our Youth Development Programme.
The Club is in action seven days a week. We have Senior Club (9-18) programmes Monday – Thursday evenings; we have a Friday Night Club for a mid-age range group of members, aged 8-13, as well as a Karate Club; Junior Club (5-9) on Monday and Wednesday evenings; we rent out to a performing arts school on Saturday and we field football teams on Saturday and Sundays. In addition, we run programmes during school holidays through the day and into the evenings.
Prevention is better than cure and the Club worked to be a constant support for members and our community throughout all of Covid, ensuring we adapted our provision to help throughout various restrictions:
“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”.
PC Maisie Bremer-Smith 3013AW, Vincent Square Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Belgravia Police Station
