Bolton Lads and Girls Club

BOLTON Lads and Girls Club is so successful that it is being used a national benchmark on how to provide excellent youth services.

And it doesn’t cost the council a penny as the entire organisation, which needs an annual income of around £2 million, is funded from charitable donations.

Under the direction of its dynamic leader, Jerry Glover, the club has achieved national recognition as an innovative provider of children’s services, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The club was established in 1889 by a group of local businessmen in response to the dreadful social conditions which existed at the time.

Bolton was a booming “Cotton Town”, where children worked long hours in the mills and had little or no life away from the looms.

The club provided activity, association and a hot meal and has operated “non-stop” ever since, making it one of the longest-running youth clubs in the country.

Chief executive Mr Glover said: “In the late 1990s the club designed, funded and built a brand new youth club which opened in 2002 and which has been recognised as being the best of its kind in the country.”

He added: “The club is now used by more than 2,500 children and young people every week where they are engaged in a range of activities involving all sectors of the community and targeting the most needy groups.

“We also provide intensive support, guidance and training for some of the towns most at-risk youngsters through mentoring in one-to-one and group sessions.”

At the core of its many sporting, cultural and mentoring activities, Bolton Lads and Girls Club provides day and evening youth club facilities 365 days a year.

After 120 years, the club is now recognised as being “Best in Class” in the UK.