A NEW youth service is starting in Wellington to help tackle youth loneliness.

Young Somerset youth worker Chris Buckesy and assistant youth worker Jemma Lay began delivering detached youth work in the town on March 18.

The ongoing project will run on Monday evenings from 7pm-9pm.

It is hoped it will increase youth engagement, build relationships and help tackle their issues and difficulties.

A spokesman said: “Chris and Jemma will engage with local young people in the town centre and green spaces within Wellington, working to increase youth engagement, building up positive relationships and working with the young people to discuss and explore individual and local young people’s issues and difficulties.

“This project is being supported by Wellington Town Council and the local police team. “

Over the last few months Young Somerset has been working with a group of eight young people, all of whom attend Court Fields School and Wellington Youth Club on a Tuesday and Thursday evening.

They have been working on a project looking at tackling youth loneliness.

The spokesman added: “The project has gained a lot of momentum and all the young people involved have put in a lot of time and effort in to their work. This has enabled strong links to be formed with the library service, Court Fields School and local organisations and discussions are ongoing to continue working with the young people to implement their plans and see their ideas develop in to reality.”

Chris can be contacted on 01278 722100, should a young person wish to access the youth work team on a Monday evening or to find out more information.