MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE: New youth bus launched

It has been arranged by the Mansfield Woodhouse Youth Project and Nottinghamshire County Council and will formally launch at a series of events next week.

Young people attending will be able to have their say on what they want from the mobile youth club in the coming months and years.

The bus will initially be staffed by a mix of experienced youth workers from the county council youth service and specially trained workers employed by the project on a part time basis.

Youth project spokesman Richard Tempest-Mitchell, who is also head of personal development at The Manor Academy, said: “This is a fantastic development for the young people of Mansfield Woodhouse.

“Our teenagers want and need positive facilities and services like the youth bus, and we are sure they will use and develop its potential.

“Next week’s launch will be lots of fun and a great start to a growing and valuable service. The community has pulled together to make this happen and we hope it will help our young people to pay back that hard work, with positive outcomes for all.”

The project initially began as a plan to create an alcohol-free pub for youngsters, which never got into gear due to the economic climate, the group said.

Instead the group refocused on the bus project, which got off the ground with the help of local politicians and funding from the National Lottery.

Chairman Bill Pearce added: “the young people of Mansfield Woodhouse have the beginnings of a valuable resource, which we hope will find a stable home in the coming twelve months and provide a valuable service for years to come.’.

The launch events for the youth bus will take place from 7pm on Peafield Park on Monday 28th October, the Lords Ground, in Slant lane, on Wednesday 30th October and Focus Point, on Vale Road, on Friday 1st November 2013.