What is a youth club? Your essential guide

Youth clubs have held an important role in the lives of young people for decades and are a key part of many communities. Unfortunately, though, in many parts of the UK, the number of youth clubs has been on a steep decline. In fact, since 2010, around 42% of councils in England and Wales no longer run their own youth centres.

But there are some that are still going. In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about youth clubs, from what they are to funding and insurance.

What is a youth club?

A youth club is a club where young people go to meet each other, hang out together, and take part in various activities, such as music, sports, games, workshops and trips. Often, they’re aimed at children between the ages of 11-18 and are usually run by the local community or council, local churches, or simply a group of volunteers or parents. 

How many youth clubs are there in the UK?

The number of youth clubs in the UK continues to dwindle following cuts to council funding and in the wake of the pandemic. In 2023, there were just 581 council-run youth centres in operation. This figure is likely to have dropped in the intervening years. 

What are the benefits of youth clubs?

Youth clubs have several benefits, including: 

• They create a safe space for children and teenagers in their local community to mix with their peers and make new friends, helping to create a feeling of belonging in the community. 
• They provide extra-curricular opportunities to try new activities, learn new skills, and develop new talents.
• Older teens get the chance to give back to the club by becoming Junior Leaders. 

Mercury Prize-winning band Ezra Collective have often sung the praises of youth clubs as vital parts of local communities and a key place where children can learn to play music and be mentored. The band learnt to play their instruments in youth clubs and were inspired by the adults they met there. The key benefits they highlighted as a band include: 

• Youth clubs are safe spaces for learning and development, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging collaboration.
• Clubs can connect aspiring musicians with mentors who can guide them and inspire their passion for music further. 
• Youth clubs help young people to develop essential life skills, such as teamwork, leadership and communication. 

What activities do people do at youth clubs?

This really depends on the youth club, the people that run it, and the kids that attend. However, common youth club activities include: 

• Games: Pool, table tennis, card games, challenges, and team games.
• Arts and crafts: Painting, drawing and crafting.
• Music: Learning to play instruments or singing.
• Dance: An opportunity to learn different dance styles.
• Sports: Basketball, football, dodgeball, and so on.
• Cooking: Learning basic cooking skills and preparing healthy meals together.

How are youth clubs run?

Many youth clubs are either council-run or connected to the council in some way, although some are volunteer-led or run by local churches.

If you’re considering setting up a youth club, it’s important to get in touch with the council as early as possible. They will likely have a dedicated team that focuses on community safety and young people and will be able to offer advice on how to set up a youth club.

The first place to start is by asking them for any relevant literature or guidance they can provide. They may even be able to help with funding. Your local council will also be aware of any other youth clubs in the area and may be able to put you in touch with leaders who can help you create a plan for yours.

Funding

Funding is a huge part of the life of a youth club, and sadly, one of the reasons there are so few in the UK today. You ultimately require funding to pay for venue hire if you can’t get one for free. You must also buy equipment for the kids to use if you can’t get it donated. Ongoing funds are essential for the general running of the club. You’ll also need to consider insurance and how you’ll pay for it.

A good starting point is to approach organisations that are in place to help communities and community projects, like the National Lottery Community Fund. Make sure you set out the aims and objectives of your youth club and detail the funding you require. It’s important to have a clear action plan focusing on where the money will go in line with the core aims of your club.

Regular fundraising will also help keep your club going. Initiatives like community bake sales, car washes, or bring-and-buy sales are all good options and relatively easy to organise. Another potential avenue to explore is using platforms such as Easyfundraising. For this, all you need to do is register your youth club on the website, and your supporters can donate to you as they shop online with selected retailers. It won’t cost them any extra, as the donation comes from the retailer rather than the supporter. Plus, registering the club won’t cost you anything, either.

Insurance and legal considerations

It’s important to have the right insurance in place for your youth club. This must include public liability insurance, which can cover any accidents or injuries that happen during or as a result of your youth club activities.

Anyone working or volunteering at the club must have also gone through Criminal Records Bureau disclosure (CRB check). This shows that they are suitable for working with young people. You must also establish a Child Protection Policy.

Specialist community and sports club insurance through Ripe

Running a youth club can be very rewarding, but it also comes with a lot of risks.

Sporting club, leisure and community insurance coming soon to Ripe is designed to safeguard against these risks so you can rest assured and operate with peace of mind.