A YOUTH centre in Ferndown has opened its doors again after a lack of funds forced its closure.

The facility, known as Riffs, in Church Road shut in summer 2016 after county council funding was withdrawn. More than 120 young people had visited the centre every week until its closure.

Following a public consultation, members of Ferndown Town Council approved a youth centre project in March 2017. The then Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Mike Parkes, said it was a “fantastic facility” which was “sadly not being utilised” and called the youth provision in the town “inadequate and an injustice to the young people of Ferndown”.

Town councillors strongly supported the proposal to take over youth services, and now the youth centre is up and running once more.

Cutting the ribbon to the re-opened centre, Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Cathy Lugg said: “Youth centres have been part of the fabric of communities for decades and bring a wide range of benefits to young people, families and communities. “Ferndown Youth Centre has three key objectives: helping young people gain self-confidence and self-esteem, reducing the risk of young people becoming involved in unsafe activities, and to provide a safe and positive environment where all young people are welcome.

“The centre is also looking to start a youth club council, giving its young members an active voice in the running of the youth centre whilst helping the involved members to develop important personal and interpersonal skills.”

The youth centre is staffed by trained and DBS checked youth workers who facilitate all the sessions on offer.

The town council has described the facility as a “safe place for young people to develop and meet socially with their peers”, adding: “It encourages young people to think of issues affecting their lives and those of the people around them by promoting and discussing awareness days and events.”

The centre provides a variety of activities including cooking and football competitions.

It opens on Thursday and Friday afternoons between 3pm and 6pm, offering a free, after school drop-in for Year 7 school pupils and above.

A Year 7 and 8 youth club runs between 6.30pm and 9pm on Wednesday evenings.

A Year 9 and above youth club runs between 7pm and 9.30pm on Thursday evenings, and a Year 6 club runs between 6.30pm and 9pm on Friday evenings.