Tokyngton Youth Club will provide a social hub for the borough’s youngsters

Hundreds of delighted youngsters celebrated the opening of a new youth centre in Wembley this weekend.

Tokyngton Youth Club (TYC), officially launched on Saturday, (24) complete with dance and singing performances and motivational speeches from some of the borough’s talented residents.

TYC will provide both social and educational activities from its base in Planet Zero, a charitable organisation in Engineers Way, Wembley.

During the launch, on Saturday, November 24, talented youngsters including singers and dance troops performed for the crowds, while speeches were given by former Commonwealth Games Judo medallist, Lee Shinkin and resident brain box and Mastermind champion Shaun Wallace.

James DeGale, a Boxing gold medallist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, who lives in Harlesden, was also present.

Cllr Krupa Sheth, who lives in the Tokyngton ward, has been helping to organise the opening of the club.

She said: “The launch of TYC was a great success. Despite the gloomy weather we had a packed room with happy faces and great entertainment on Saturday evening.

“Special thanks goes to all the stakeholders for making this night special.”

The idea for the youth club was conceived a year ago and the launch is a joint effort between Tokyngton Safer Neighbourhoods (SN) Team, Brent Council and the Tokyngton Youth Panel (TYP).

The TYP was formed following the riots which tore through the capital in August 2011 with the aim of giving young people a say in what they wanted in their community and they expressed an interest in having a youth centre.

Community organisations and businesses have also got involved including IKEA in Brent Park, who provided funding for the clubs furniture.

Samuel Lamptey, a Police Community Support Officer from Tokyngton SN Team said: “The launch of the TYC proves that the local SN Team is in the position of collaborating well with Brent Council, ward working, ward councillors, residents and local businesses to achieve great goals such as this event if we all pull together.”