YOUNG people in Liphook are missing out on a vital community link with the suspension of the village’s youth club due to a lack of support.

So says the club’s management committee chairman John Tough who was saddened to make the decision when adult supporters failed to turn up to the last meeting so there was no quorum.

The club at the Millennium Centre closed its doors in March after six thriving years as there were not enough volunteers to support a youth worker.

Hampshire County Council cuts meant funding had to be found elsewhere and now the committee is suspending operations until more people come forward to help.

Although John is very disappointed about the dwindling support, he is hopeful of being able to reopen the club before too long.

However, he is worried about those 30-plus 11 to 15-year-olds, and some older young people who were given one-to-one support, and currently have nowhere to go.

There were church organisations, sports clubs, Scouts and other groups in the village, but they would not necessarily want to attend those.

“All they have got to do is be out on the street, or at home on computers or watching television,” he said.

“There are young people who really need to spend time at the youth club, to socialise, which is really important, and to be with adults and other young people.”

They enjoyed activities such as football, pool and craft activities. Valuable outreach work saw youth workers talking to those on the street about issues such as contraception and drugs.

John added that although it seemed that in society as a whole volunteers were becoming more and more difficult to find, two enthusiastic villagers had already expressed an interest.

If you would like to know more, contact John on 01428 724492.