Update: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Bolton Lads & Girls Club is continuing to adapt so that we can continue to support as many children and young people as possible in the face of social distancing and isolation measures.

At times like this, children and young people need the support of youth workers and youth services now more than ever. We are working closely with Bolton Council, VCSE partners and other stakeholders to temporarily reshape our offer to provide integrated targeted services that best meet the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people and the wider community as the situation evolves.
The wellbeing of young people, staff, families, visitors and the most vulnerable in our society is always our absolute priority.

We will be temporarily pausing open access sessions Friday 20th March and implementing a number of creative and dynamic solutions to ensure we can continue to support young people within current guidelines around social distancing and isolation from Monday 23rd March.

These include:

• Refocusing from universal open access provision to more targeted sessions continuing to run small group sessions with limited numbers and/or maintaining one-to-one sessions with those most in need whilst maintaining a focus on best practice around hygiene.

• Introducing one-to-one phone and online contact for young people needing to speak to a youth worker or specialist member of staff, supporting good emotional health and wellbeing, and safeguarding vulnerable young people.

• Live streaming across social media platforms to increase engagement and create a positive online community for those feeling most isolated.

• Using a range of different approaches to support the area’s most vulnerable young people whilst reducing social isolation for our members.

The final open access sessions will be Junior Club on Friday 20th March. Please do not travel to the Spa Road Centre after this date. We will update you regularly on how to access services and participate in exciting online sessions.

We will be continuing to run small sessions from our Westhoughton and Barlow Park centres, more information about these will be shared very soon.

Naturally our team will stay very close to the detail and are maintaining agile plans so we can respond quickly and appropriately to this highly dynamic situation.

We would ask that young people who are experiencing symptoms relating to COVID-19 self isolate and not attend the any Club sessions and advise that those who are deemed to be vulnerable – or have relatives – deemed to be vulnerable, also avoid attending.

We will keep you informed of the latest developments via this section of the website or via our Social Media. For further information, please contact enquiries@blgc.co.uk

Thank you

Karen Edwards OBE
Chief Executive