Durham to host youth clubs' conference

Durham is set to welcome youth workers and volunteers from across the UK.

The National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs will hold its centenary conference at the Ramside Hall Hotel on September 28, attracting staff, board members and club volunteers from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. 

Featuring workshops, exhibitors, networking opportunities and a gala dinner with awards, the event will include keynote speaker Dr Mona Dixon, National Youth of the Year Award winner from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with Pam Royal and Ian Payne hosting the evening proceedings.

Attendees will also engage with representatives from the US-based World Youth Clubs to explore international collaboration and best practice.

The centenary conference has been brought to the North East with support from County Durham-based employer the Banks Group, a long-term backer of the Durham Association of Boys & Girls Clubs and its 75 member organisations. 

Alan Watson, executive youth officer at the Durham Association of Boys & Girls Clubs, which supports around 75 member clubs across County Durham, Darlington, South Tyne & Wear and Cleveland, offering football, boxing, athletics, table tennis and a wide variety of other activities, said: “The national conference takes place in different places around the UK and we’re thrilled to be bringing the centenary event to Durham, not only to highlight the great work that our local clubs do, but also to showcase the wider North East to all the delegates visiting from across the UK and overseas.

 “Our member clubs facilitate a huge range of different events and activities for local young people and those with special needs, and they often provide opportunities in disadvantaged communities which simply wouldn’t otherwise be there.

 “We’ve seen the likes of Lucy Bronze and several Olympians winning national and international recognition after starting out with a community club, and we know there are already many others across our area who’re working to follow in their footsteps.

“We’ve had tremendous backing from the Banks Group for our work over many years, both for our organisation and for many of the clubs that make up our membership, and their commitment matches the tirelessness of all the volunteers who are key to their success.”

Lucy Hinds, executive assistant at the Banks Group, added: “The Durham Association and its members have made an incalculable difference to the lives of generations of young people across County Durham, and are continuing to do so today.

“Supporting community causes across our home county has been central to our operations for many decades and we’re very excited to be celebrating their achievements with so many guests from across the UK and beyond.”

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