Stuart Cornfoot has been given a job at Halewood Youth in Community Centre – known locally as the ‘Old Boys Club’ – thanks to funding from Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT).
“I’m a local lad and I actually started coming to the centre with my friends when I was about 13,” said Stuart, now 20.“We used to play football or come down and watch the match on TV. It’s strange that I’m back here again.
“It’s not your normal nine-to-five but I love working with the kids. It’s great that I’ve been able to turn it into a full-time job.”The former Halewood Sixth Former became a volunteer at the centre when he was 18, but no funding was available to take him on in full-time employment.
“Having Stuart on board will be a great boost,” said Centre Manager Mark Nelson. “He is popular with the children and he will fit extremely well with the fantastic staff we already have here.”
Halewood Youth in Community Centre, which employs seven staff, has been running since the 1960s and is open to local children from newborns to 18-year-olds.There is a very small nominal fee to take part in a variety of activities such as:
Pre-school breakfast club- Parents and toddlers session
- After-school club
- Senior youth activities
“I’ve been really inspired by working with the children,” he said. “Eventually I’d like to become a PE teacher.”
KHT's Neighbourhood Manager Steve Hughes said: “We saw this as an opportunity to step in and provide a real boost to children in the Halewood area.“We wish him the best of luck in his new job.”
For more information on the Halewood Youth in Community Centre call 0151 486 2865.To find out more about KHT’s Area Board Funding scheme call 0151 290 7000.
Stuart Cornfoot with kids at the Halewood Youth in Community Centre.
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