St Andrews Youth Club
St Andrews Youth Club
As part of our Joy of Play campaign, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible charitable organisations helping children and young people thrive through the joy of play. One of those being St Andrews Youth Club, a community-based youth club and registered charity that has been enriching young lives for more than 150 years.
Supporting over 400 children and young people each year, the Club provides a sense of belonging, fun and informal education, helping young people build self-confidence, develop respect for others and grow into active, positive members of their communities.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Trish Marron, Head of Fundraising and Development at St Andrew’s Club, to learn more about the charity and the difference the donated play resources make to the children and young people they support.
Can you tell us about St Andrews Youth Club?
St Andrew’s is the oldest youth club in the world, we have been around for 159 years. We are a space for children from age 5 to 18 to come to support their informal education and development. They take part in sports, creative activities, skills-based things like cooking. They can hang out with their friends and learn essential social skills.
We are a safe space for children who might not necessarily have lots of space at home, where they can decompress after school. We have a sports hall and a big social space; we are very much about children having fun but also building their social confidence as well and making friends. Lots of people make lifelong friends at St Andrews.
How many children and young people would you support in a year?
Our holiday programmes are particularly busy, but across the year we will support over 400 children and young people from age 5 to 18. Lots of young people come five nights a week, while other young people may come for specific activities such as football, boxing or cooking.
St. Andrews Club accesses their resources through In Kind Direct, what difference does it make to the children and the families here in the community?
We’ve been working with In Kind Direct for over 16 years, since 2010! And for us, it’s those added benefits that we can give to children, young people and their families. So, access to hygiene products and toiletries, as the girls are particularly interested in haircare, beauty and skincare.
And then In Kind have provided great games and toys that are used communally at the Club. It allows young people to learn essential skills like sharing, turn-taking and communicating and how to play nicely and all those important things. So, those are beneficial. And obviously, it is just essential for a youth club to have a whole range of games coming in that young people will be interested in.
Is there a story that you can share, a moment of joy, that you've had this summer?
For me, it is seeing the creative side for young people. As you would have seen in the main space, we have a massive arts and crafts table where children just go and pick and choose what activity they want to do. I think it’s nice when you see young person showing off something they’ve made and that they’re going to bring home and show their parents. It is really lovely to see that level of creativity and the opportunity for young people to express themselves, while sat next to one of their friends and comparing what they’ve made.
Our shared impact
2010
joined our network
£80,333.52
in savings
£91,692.24
worth of products distributed
A huge thank you to the team at St Andrew’s Youth Club for welcoming us, sharing your story and giving us an insight into the incredible work you do. We’re grateful for your time and for the opportunity to celebrate the impact you’re making in your community.
Address: Alec Wizard House, 12 Old Pye Street, Westminster, London SW1P 2DG
Website: https://www.standrewsclub.com/copy-of-home
Social media: https://www.instagram.com/st.andrewsclub/
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