RESIDENTS in Ystradgynlais are banding together to help save the town’s youth club.
An SOS call has been sent out by Penrhos Youth Club after Powys County Council announced plans to pull the plug on funding for its youth centres across the county in order to save money.
Youth worker Sian Nickels, chair of SOSYstrad, is heading up the campaign to save the youth centre and bring its premises into community ownership.
Among those who have heeded the call are town estate agent Roger Roberts and Ystradgynlais Football Club, which shares the same site as the youth centre.
“Initially we set up a committee after I received loads of comments on a Facebook post expressing my concern at the closure of the youth club,” Sian said. “Ystradgynlais Football Club had also expressed an interest. We all have good memories of the youth club so it made sense to us that we would be stronger together, so we put together a proposal to take over the site for the community as a whole.”
The SOSYstrad campaign has to come up with a viable plan in order to convince Powys council to transfer the site and its assets over to community ownership, otherwise the youth centre, which this year was due to celebrate its 40th anniversary, is lost for good.
With the building in need of some TLC, SOSYstrad are keen to show they can take over not just the running and maintenance costs of the youth centre, but also make any essential renovations that are necessary for long-term community use.
Daniel Davies, chair of Ystradgynlais FC, said they have been using the fields for matches and regularly use the tennis courts for training the teams ranging from under 5s to adults. He said: “Between all members of both committees we have the skills and experience to keep Penrhos Youth Club for the community. We are looking at all funding avenues to make sure we have the financial backing to make this a success.”
But SOSYstrad says the youth club needs those who used its facilities as youngsters to lend their DIY skills and experience towards breathing new life into the building.
Sian, a highly regarded youth worker in the town, said: “It’s DIY SOSYstrad time! There are so many people who have used the youth club who have gone on to get excellent trades. We are calling for anyone with a trade to pitch in and save the youth club. We are actively seeking donations from local construction companies, small to medium enterprises, local shops, anyone who can offer materials or their time.
“The people of Ystradgynlais have big hearts and when a crisis occurs we all pull together. Community spirit is alive in this town. This was evident at Buskagynlais and when (the actor) Michael Sheen switched on our Christmas lights.
“Both committees who initially expressed an interest recognised we are stronger together. We have almost 800 names who have pledged their support for the club on paper, but there’s more petition forms out there so numbers are going to rise.
“As well as adding your name, please help us with DIY SOSYstrad and show Powys council that the we are not willing to give this historic mining building away. Save the club so our children can make the same memories we have made.”
The council are due discuss the expression of interest in the premises on Monday, February 12 so if you can pledge to support DIY SOSYstrad leave a comment on their Facebook page.