Kick , St Ives, sends a strong message that open access youth space is crucial for developing community minded young people, as it closes its doors

Open Access Youth Provision Still Needed 

As Kick Closes 

More than a decade and a half after Kick began with one small football project for Year 11 children at St Ivo’s School, it was with mixed feelings that the organisation has decided to close their services.  

The decision to close was made based on a key question for all charitable organisations: Can we remain true to our charitable mission?  

The team at Kick decided that their open-access youth groups were the beating heart of their mission, and if they were unable to keep those funded and open then they were unable to deliver their mission and should close. A decision approached with a level of integrity leaves them able to celebrate the good work that was possible during the life of the organisation.  

The challenge in keeping open-access youth groups funded and open is common. The group faced difficulties finding funders to cover core funding, ensuring supply of qualified sessional youth workers and recruiting trustees who were willing to bear the additional risks and responsibilities that working with young people carries.  

Yet Kick’s Operation Manager is adamant that open access youth provision is valuable within local communities the benefits to young people. 

‘ It’s more than throwing a bag of crisps on a table .  

Today the youth work model  is short-term project funded, residentials or skateparks seem to be the favoured activities to attract funding. 

This does not fund consistent accessible open access youth spaces, where young people can feel part of a community and take part in activities with trusted adults.’ 

Kick are proud of their achievements over the years and are saddened that the  young  people in St Ives have lost their valued space. There are many lessons to be learned on how youth work is sustained and delivered within our communities from the closure and this is something any community minded person or organisation should pay consideration to.