THINGS are on the up for youngsters in Chesham. This summer the first phase of a £500,000 refurbishment project will start to transform Chesham Youth Club into a modern community venue. Reporter JAMES COX finds out more.

BUILDING work to give Chesham Youth Club a bright new facelift is set to start in July.

The club, in Bellingdon Road, Chesham, will get a range of new resources and services including a cybercafe, coffee bar, art room, library and a counselling room.

The improvements, the first phase of which are costing £106,000, come after more than two years of fundraising from young club members and youth leaders.

Jane Wenman, a youth leader at the club, explained: "This project is really, really important for young people in Chesham.

"The problem at the moment is that everything at the club was put together in the 1950s and 60s.

"It may have been suitable for young people of that time but now things have to change to suit young people in Chesham today.

"We've raised about £79,000 through events like race nights and market stalls you name it, we've done it to raise funds."

The club, which runs under Buckinghamshire County Council's Youth Services, caters mainly for eight to 21-year-olds.

The centre has a membership of about 350 and offers a range of activities including basketball, cookery and football.

The venue is also used by groups from the wider community in Chesham such as the Asian Young Women's Group.

"The centre is well used," Jane said. "The problem is we don't have the facilities to meet the needs. The idea is that we are doing something that is going to last for many years to come."

After the improvements youngsters will be able to surf the net in the cybercafe and use facilities like the library to help with their school work.

Of course, regular youth club activities, like playing pool and drinking soft drinks with friends will continue.

Jane, who has worked with young people on various activities for more than ten years, appreciates young people always need somewhere just to "hang out".

She added: "We are offering facilities for young people but we are also competing with places like McDonald's and the cinema.

"The only way to measure our success is to look at the number of young people coming through our doors.

"I have to say, having worked with lots of young people before, the youngsters in Chesham are the best motivated group and most positive I think I've ever worked with.

"It is the responsibility of us to ensure that energy is channelled in a positive way.

"Things are going to get better and better because people are starting to realise that you people do have a series of needs and we are doing something at the centre for those needs."

To move on to the second phase of the club's refurbishment a total of £500,000 needs to be raised.

Youth leaders are currently applying to the National Lottery for funding but in the meantime youngsters are as busy fundraising as ever.

Last weekend club members took part in a face-painting event in Chesham High Street to raise extra cash.

A week before that club members released 1,000 rubber ducks on the River Chess in Lowndes Park and raised a much needed £800.

Forthcoming fundraising events include a giant jumble sale at the club and a float at Chesham Carnival on June 16.

Any businesses or any one wishing to donate cash to Chesham Youth Club can call Jane Wenman on (01494) 771889