Tokyngton Youth Club will provide a valuable hub for young people

Young people in Wembley will soon be celebrating the launch of a brand new youth centre.

Tokyngton Youth Club, will provide a hub for young people to enjoy both social and leisure activities.

The idea was conceived following meetings between the Tokyngton Safer Neighbourhoods (TSN) Team and the Tokyngton Youth Panel group.

The Youth Panel was set up to find out how young people could be better engaged in the wake of the riots that spread through the capital last summer..

They expressed an interest in having a centre for social and educational activities and the decided to set up the club with the help of local businesses and Brent Council.

Sergeant Peter Goodchild of TSN Team said he hoped the club and the idea of the youth panel, would also lead to a better relationship between the young people and Brent police.

Planet Zero, a charity organisation, have provided the premises for the club at Planet Zero, in Wembley Retail Park in Engineers Way.

Furniture has been provided by IKEA who will also offer work experience places at their Wembley branch.

Tanika Patel, a Youth Panel member, who has lived in Tokyngton all her life, said they wanted to create a space where young people can come to feel safe.

She added: “We believe that this exciting new opportunity can only result in a positive change in the youths of the present day.”

Brent Council is supporting the project with its ward working fund.

Cllr Krupa Sheth, who lives in the Tokyngton ward, said she was proud to be part of the project.

She said: “It reflects on our community spirit and gives us a chance to put our youth under positive light.

“I would like to thank all the stakeholders for their help including the SNTs, IKEA, Brent Council, parents and most importantly the youth!”

Earlier this month, Brent Council also launched a new �5m youth centre in the Harlesden ward as part of their efforts to engage youth.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council and a Tokyngton ward councillor, said he was delighted to see the plans progress.

He added: “I am confident that with everyone’s support we will end up with a world-class youth facility which will change lives of our youth in a most positive manner.”

Tokyngton Youth Club will officially launch on Saturday, November 24 at 6pm.