ORGANISERS at a youth hub which opened at a 13th century abbey say it has helped to dramatically reduce young people causing damage and upsetting residents in a village.

Thanks to a collaboration between Ribble Valley Council, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Burnley Boys and Girls Club and the Blackburn Diocese, the Whalley Youth Hub, which opened at Whalley Abbey three months ago, was launched in an attempt to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

In recent months, Whalley had become ‘location central’ for gangs of rowdy youngsters from surrounding towns and villages, who would wreak havoc, causing damage to the abbey and abusing the clergy.

The Rev Adam Thomas from Whalley Abbey offered the use of the abbey’s gatehouse, while Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner Andrew Snowden stepped forward with £17,000 to turn it into a permanent premises.

The hub now welcomes youngsters aged eight to 18 on Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 8pm and is a safe bolthole, where youngsters can get out of the rain and off the street, and have a brew and a chat with friends.

Chairman of the Ribble Valley Community Safety Partnership, which is managed by Ribble Valley Borough Council, Robert Thompson, said: “Although Ribble Valley reports the lowest levels of crime in Lancashire, there are growing concerns about the use of illegal substances and their supply.

“Whalley seems to have become location central for youngsters from surrounding towns and villages, who need something constructive and safe to do.

“The hub has been a significant success, giving them a place to meet and engage in positive activity, including respecting the abbey and its environment, which has suffered from vandalism.”

Mr Snowden said: “It has been great to meet some of the people involved in the hub and hear about how this funding is having a positive impact on young people."

The hub, which is run by one paid member of staff and five volunteers, has 160 members and 400 Facebook followers.

Each session includes an hour of a sport, drama, yoga, art and craft, or a general discussion, followed by an hour of games aimed at building the group dynamic, such as hide-and-seek, tig, or bulldog.

The youngsters also take part in outdoor events at the abbey and several are to deliver a presentation at a forthcoming a meeting of Whalley Parish Council.

Graham Vernon, of the Burnley Boys and Girls Club, which manages the hub, said: “This is good old-fashioned youth work, that is having a positive impact on the community.

“The abbey has experienced vandalism in the past and basing the hub there has given youngsters some responsibility for the site.

“In fact, since the hub’s launch, there has been a significant reduction in complaints of anti-social behaviour in Whalley.

“The hub has created a space for young people to work with crime and community agencies, as well as build a relationship with our local policing team.

“It gives them a chance to get together to play a variety of games and have a good chat – and there isn’t a mobile phone in sight.”

The Burnley Boys and Girls Club is now fundraising for the renovation and upkeep of the hub, and appealing for local tradespeople to help transform the space.

If you can help, contact the club on 01282 424038.