Members and user groups at Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre are celebrating a double funding boost thanks to support from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP). The ever popular community facility is in the final stages of the Asset Transfer of the building from Durham County Council, and as part of the process the Centre’s Management Committee identified a number of areas within the building that were in need of improvements. The centre successfully received funding from GAMP through the Neighbourhood Budgets of Durham County Councillors Eddy Adam and Kate Hopper. The funding was used to replace the worn carpet flooring tiles within the Social Room & Pool Room.
In addition, the centre also received funding from GAMP’s Capital Small Grants Fund to help purchase new furniture to support the popular Beveridge Community Café. Vince Crosby, Chair of Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre, said: “I’m delighted with the funding support that we have received from Councillors Eddy Adam, Kate Hopper and GAMP. The funding will help the centre move forward with our plans to further improve the building.” Rebecca Metcalfe, Centre Manager, said: “It has to be mentioned that the team have played a very important role in upgrading the centres décor and building the new furniture for the café. Without the staff and volunteers behind me the renovations could not have been completed without their understanding, support and co-operation.
Thank you does not seem to be enough of a compliment to them.” Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre offers a wide range of youth and community activities, these include: Boot Camp, Destination Judo, NAYC Football Club, Sporting Chance, Duke of Edinburgh, Dancercise, AGE UK (Tai Chi). There are two new groups at the Centre, Musikality and Newton Aycliffe Karate Club, with new bookings occurring all the time. The footfall from these groups is in excess of 1,500 visits a month.
