Machynlleth youth club faces closure without volunteers
The community‑run youth club in Machynlleth warns it may shut by October half‑term unless at least four new adult volunteers step in.
Machynlleth youth club may be forced to shut its doors this autumn unless a minimum of four new adult volunteers step forward before the October half‑term. The community‑run centre, based in Canolfan Glyndwr, was set up four years ago as a volunteer‑led project to give 11‑ to 16‑year‑olds a safe evening space and occasional holiday sessions.
Since its inception, more than 400 young people from Machynlleth and surrounding villages have been registered, taking part in sport, creative, social and community‑focused activities each week. The club’s programme is delivered in partnership with local organisations, extending its reach beyond the core offering and providing a vital hub for youth engagement in a largely rural area.
Funding for the club comes entirely from charitable sources after Powys County Council slashed its youth work provision in 2016, leaving the centre to rely on donations and grant income. Volunteer directors have been the backbone of the operation, but recent calls for new members have yielded limited response.
Current trustees, who have overseen the club for over four years, say they are preparing to hand over the reins but need a robust team in place to ensure continuity. If the required number of volunteers is not secured by the October half‑term, the club will have no choice but to close, depriving local youngsters of a dedicated space.
The role demands roughly six hours of commitment per month and welcomes individuals from any background, provided they can contribute diverse skills to the team. All prospective volunteers must undergo an enhanced DBS check, a standard safeguard for organisations working with minors.
Potential volunteers are asked to dedicate time to planning weekly sessions, liaising with partner groups and supporting the administrative side of the club’s operations. Community members have been urged to consider the impact of a closure, which would leave a gap in provision for young people in an area already facing limited extracurricular options.
The club’s leadership hopes that the appeal will resonate with residents who value the safe, inclusive environment it has cultivated over the past four years. With the deadline looming, the call for volunteers underscores the broader challenge of sustaining community‑driven youth services in the wake of public funding cuts.