Parkfield Youth Centre continues to expand it's provision of activities and services for young people and the local community .

The centre, which opened in October 2011, provides services, activities and support for young people aged from 8 to 19, and up to 25 if there are special needs. It also continues to be a hub for a range of community groups and clubs.

Adding to this existing provision, in September 2014 the newly formed Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS), which integrates the Care Leavers Service, Youth Offending Team and Attendance Improvement, moved in to Parkfield House.

Councillor Ken Pritchard, Executive Lead for Children, Schools and Families, said: “Parkfield continues to support the young people of Torbay by providing these wide range of clubs and activities. It also gives the young people opportunities to speak to youth workers in a young person friendly environment for any advice and guidance that they may require. It is also great to see the centre being used as a hub for other community and sports clubs.

“Now that the Integrated Youth Support Service is also based in Parkfield House young people are receiving even more support and advice from their wide range of services. IYSS supports the achievements and challenges that young people may face and will ensure that all the young people in their care receive the best services and support possible. This helps young people to grow, develop and to reach their goals and aspirations as they enter adulthood.

“With regard to the future of Parkfield, there has been a lot of discussions taking place and a report on the way forward will be presented to full council at the end of February. These plans involve maximising the delivery of youth work to the young people of Torbay from Parkfield and will open more doors to improve the existing provision. An announcement on these changes will be made by the end of the month.”

One such community group which uses the facilities at the centre is the Torbay BMX Club. The club, which was set up in November 2013, has plans for the BMX Track but they need help in increasing their membership as well as more volunteers to help run sessions and to maintain the track.

Adrian Livesey, Chairman of Torbay BMX Club, said: “In order for us to keep the track at the standard British Cycling require it we need funding, but to get this funding we need more members! As well as members we also need volunteers to help us run regular sessions and to provide manpower in maintaining the track. So, if you are parent who used to BMX when you were younger and want to show others how fun this sport is, or have children who want to give it a go, please get in contact.”

“Our plans for the BMX Club are huge and as the Parkfield centre has great facilities for holding large scale events we want to bid to hold more regional races, inter club races and hopefully a national event in Paignton. These events don’t just benefit the club members but they bring a large number of people into Paignton and Torbay and will really put the Bay on the map for BMX events.”
The cost for the membership for the club has been reduced this year to encourage people to sign up. A yearly membership is now only £1 for children and £2 for adults. To find out more about becoming a member visit the clubs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/torbaybmxclub or visit their website www.torbaybmxclub.co.uk.

Clubs currently on offer at Parkfield include drop in’s for 11 to 19 year olds, Table Tennis and Pool clubs – which have been made possible after a successful bid for new equipment. There are also Make it and Take it art sessions, Junior Youth Club for 8 to 11 year olds , DJ and music workshops and Parkfield’s own radio station, Parkfield Xtreme, is also continuing to grow.

To find out more about these clubs visit www.torbaydirectory.com and search for Parkfield.

The centre is also used as a base for South Devon School of Gymnastics, the Karate Academy and the Stars Speech and Language Group which is run by Down South - a group that has been formed by parents and carers to support people with Down’s syndrome and their families and friends, living in the Torbay, South Hams and Teignbridge areas of South Devon.

Also on site is Eat That Frog, a local Community Interest Company (CIC), who run a skills and training programme in horticulture which maintains the grounds. There is also an emerging partnership with another CIC who will look after the water sports element. The climbing wall is currently closed but this will be reopening soon and will be run through partnership with a local company. All of these elements are and will be offering young people low cost or free opportunities to build skills and confidence.