A YOUTH hub which has relaunched following the lockdown has received a huge boost thanks to a £21,000 grant.

Bridport Youth and Community Centre (BYCC) has received the grant courtesy of the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust.

The trust's Youth Centre Recovery Fund is designed to help youth centres survive and recover from the impact of the pandemic, so that they can continue to support young people.

The grant will be used for covering operating costs and youth workers' salaries for six months. It will also be used to extend its youth activities to be able to offer more support for young people in Bridport and the surrounding areas.

The grant will be used for core costs and overheads of BYCC on Gundry Lane.

Cllr Kelvin Clayton, chairman of the BYCC, said: “We are immensely grateful for this wonderfully generous donation to our Youth work. Covid 19 has been an immense challenge and we are delighted to be able to safely welcome youngsters back to the centre.

"This immensely generous grant will enable us to expand our two youth clubs, with age-appropriate activities for children from 8 to 18.”

The youth centre is now run by a board of trustees.

Leigh Hansford, the treasurer of the centre, said: “Following the withdrawal of funding from the former Dorset County Council the Trust has financed our youth activities through the mix of a Bridport Town Council grant, the hire of rooms, and additional fundraising. As Covid has severely restricted our income, this grant is central to our being able to continue.”

Julia and Hans Rausing of the trust said: “The last year has been incredibly difficult for young people, whose education and social lives have been severely interrupted by the pandemic. Youth Centres play a vital role in providing young people with educational, leisure and social opportunities.

“We are delighted to be supporting charities across the country that can make a real difference in their local communities and have a positive impact on young people’s life chances.”

The centre has now reopened as restrictions loosen and is ensuring the safe use of the centre by the youth clubs and the wide range of groups that regularly hire the meeting rooms and sports hall.