Project name

Shanklin Voluntary Youth & Community Centre (SVYCC)

Category

Community gathering

Region

South East

Town or Village

Shanklin (IOW)

SVYCC was established in the 1960's as a charity and Shanklin Youth Centre - many current volunteers were members then. In the 1990's, volunteers renovated the facility (with community support), including accessible ramp, toilets, etal, and developed a programme of activities: VE Day Celebrations, Green Pennant Gardens, Community Fayres, Carnival Floats and Queen events, etc.
It fundraised to buy the building, developed a 7 day programme of activities for young people and the community (inc Learn Direct Courses, Arts & Drama, and a gym); it developed, with older members, 2 senior football teams which has won the Hampshire and IW Fairplay award 3 times (one former member is now a FA Premiership referee).
The venue is an election polling station, neighbourhood watch base, home for martial arts groups, and has recieved the Queens Award for voluntary services, as well as other awards.
The Centre has always put younger members at the heart of all it does, from Community Awareness Days with local police, fire and ambulance services; citizenship days and diversity events (many of the members has disabilities and the centre established groups for young people with disabilities and integrated activities); organised annual regional events with other Hampshire and IW Clubs, and is part of the Green Town initiative for Shanklin.
It established a twinning link with Coupvray (birthplace of braille) and is currently filming a DVD of Shanklin past and present, with memories of local people.
In 2008 High Sheriff Alan Titchmarsh presented the centre with the Youth Centre of the Year Award, recognising the work of dedicated volunteers.