WELLINGTON Youth Centre has been given a council award for being 'safe and welcoming'. 

Somerset County Council awarded the Wellington centre with a Safe and Welcoming award, which makes it the 40th club in the county to be given the honour. 

The Safe and Welcoming scheme highlights the club's safe practice and recognises the excellent work of working with young people to get them involved in activities. 

The club was required to build a portfolio containing witness statements from the young people who attend and staff, evidence of health and safety practice and policies as well as building safety details in order to obtain the award.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, cabinet member for Children and Families at Somerset County Council, said: “It is reassuring for parents and carers to know that their local youth club is safe, sustainable and 'young people friendly'.

"Once a youth club has gained this award, it becomes instantly recognisable to young people and their families as a great resource for their community.”

Cllr Andrew Govier, of Wellington Community Support Services, said: “We are delighted that we, working with Somerset Rural Youth Project, have achieved this award.

"Giving young people positive activities is very important but it is equally important that this is achieved in a safe environment. We hope that the youth centre will continue to thrive and the recent financial support from Wellington Town Council has given it fresh impetus.

"We hope that parents will be reassured that their children are going to a club that is well-run and where they will be safe.”

The award is valid for three years and is a condition of SCC youth club funding. The club will receive £4,000 for 2017-18.