• Home

Background

The Route 81 Youth Project grew out of a partnership between the Garelochhead and Portincaple Community Trust (GPCT) and Garelochhead Parish Church who through a survey of local residents in 2002 identified a lack of facilities for the young people of the community as an important issue. To address the situation a sub-committee was set up with the remit to identify what young people themselves wished to see and try to provide some of these facilities. It soon became clear that the amount of time and work needed required a dedicated Trust to work on these issues. In 2004 the sub-committee separated from the GPCT to become the Route 81 Youth Project, charitable status was obtained and the project became a company limited by guarantee and run by a board of volunteer directors who meet monthly.

Since the beginning the project has concentrated on two different issues. First, to provide opportunities for young people to meet together and have fun, second to provide a dedicated youth facility in the community.

In order to begin providing events office and hall space was required,  this has been provided from that time free of charge by Garelochhead Parish Church. To run events and organise the project funding was sought to provide dedicated youth workers. Funding has been provided by the Church of Scotland Parish Development Fund and The Tudor Trust. The post was originally job shared by Michelle MacDonald and Pamela Torrens and recently by Michelle and Val Flannigan. The Youth workers put together a wide variety of events both in house and out and about. As the project has grown we are now in need of further staff and in January 2010 Marlon Addriaggio joined the team.

The need for a dedicated youth facility has been a difficult path, both a suitable building and funding needing to be found. We looked at the possibilities of buying Augusto's restaurant and the the possibility of developing the empty Catholic Church on Feorlin Way. Before we had been able to finalize plans the Outdoor Centre closed and was bought by Dunbritton Housing Association. They agreed to sell the building to the project of we could secure funding. Funding was finally put in to place earlier this year and has been provided by The Big Lottery Fund (773,160), Scottish Rural Development Programme (£563,604)and Communities Scotland Wider Role (£30,000).

We have now completed converting the Outdoor Centre into a Community Centre and Youth facility with the name  Centre 81.

Find out more about Centre 81 by visiting their website or pop in to speak to one of our friendly staff members. There is always something new happening so keep an eye on the news page of the website or pick up a monthly news letter from the centre or local shops.

Print

Welcome to Route 81 our award winning Youth Group

 

124010Find out about our latest activities by visiting our news page

We have a new fundraising page check it out here, ideas always welcome.

The Hub

 

Aoril 2024

 



Friday Night youth sessions take place in the Youth Hub - enter by door at bottom of driveway. There will be a cafe bar selling drinks and snacks.
For those attending the first session, this is a closed session, which means the doors will be locked at 6.20 and young people will stay in for the full session. it will not be monitored if young people are picked up after the session, they will be free to leave. If you specifically want your son/daughter kept in the Hub until you arrive, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. If your son/daughter needs to leave before the end of the session, please can you let us know - please note that messenger and emails will not be checked after 4pm on the Friday. 
The second session for S2+ is a drop -in which means young people can pop in whenever suits and leave when suits (like popping into a cafe) . 
Sessions are FREE but young people must have a valid membership.
If your son/daughter wants to bring a friend who is not a member get in touch and i will email a membership form.
And i think that's it! Any questions, just get in touch.
Looking forward to Fri Sessions being back on again!
Michelle
 
Last Friday of the month

Out and about trips somewhere new and exciting. These trips will require consent forms to be compleed.

Inter-generational events in conjunction with Crosslett House in Dumbarton

Guitar Club

Come along and learn to play the guitar with Nick and Martin, Fridays 7.30pm

Dungeons and Dragons

Currently Full

Eco-Warriers

1to1 sessions

Confidential one to one sessions can be offered with a trained Youth worker to help you with emotional, educational and health problems. Nothing is too big or too small. We are here to listen and help.

Away days              

School holidays are a great time to try something new from canoeing on Loch Lomond to escaping a Riddle room in Glasgow. Keep a look out on our facebook page for all the latest events.

Volunteering

Why not join our volunteer group currently open to over 16 Route 81 members. Improve your leadership snd people skills. Earn volunteering awards and make wonderful new friends. When members eventually leave Route 81 you can come back as an adult volunteer as well.

 

Print