July/August 2026
On 9 April 2016 the Dorset Echo’s front page headline read: “Worrying news over Dorset youth centre closures.”
The article went on to say: “Local communities are fighting to save their youth clubs and centres because of the invaluable work that they do.”
And that is exactly what happened here in Bridport. A group of volunteers from the community established a charitable trust, Bridport Youth and Community Centre Trust (BYCC), on 27 July 2016. Since then BYCC has been running twice-weekly youth clubs for young people alongside various activities – often organised in partnership with other community groups – to help people of all ages keep fit, active and healthy.
Despite support from both Dorset Council and Bridport Town Council, there have been times when BYCC has faced an uncertain future and needed to work hard to raise the funds to keep going. Thanks to the dedication of trustees, staff and support from the local community, BYCC is still here, doing what it has always done and more, and this is testament to their efforts over the past decade.
“As BYCC celebrates its 10th anniversary, it has become so much more than the fondly remembered Youth Club attended by many generations of Bridport residents,” says Ian Bark, Chair of Trustees. “With an ever-increasing range of activities and events, BYCC really does offer something for everyone.”
These activities include art and craft workshops, bingo nights, boxing, badminton, band and choir practices, basketball, cookery classes, health and wellbeing sessions, table tennis, football, and ‘Stay and Play’ for the under-fives. BYCC’s youth clubs provide a wide range of positive activities that help young people try new things, build confidence, improve social skills and improve their overall wellbeing. The clubs regularly support 100 young people aged 7 to 17 each week across two youth club sessions.
The newest initiative is the ‘Not So Youth Club’, formed after Jurassic Coast Social Prescribers and the BYCC’s Community Development Coordinator recognised the need for a group aimed at the over-50s. This is a space where people can get together, make friends and enjoy each other’s company while having fun playing games or learning a new skill. It happens on the third Wednesday of the month between 11am and 2pm.
“It’s like a youth club, but for the not-so-young!” says Lesley Windsor, BYCC Community Coordinator. “It’s wonderful to see people brought together over a hot lunch after enjoying table tennis, playing cards and chess, joining the art class with a local artist or just adding a few pieces to a jigsaw or sitting down with friends, old and new, to chat.”
To mark this special year, BYCC is launching its 10th anniversary appeal to spread the word about the centre and what it delivers, while fundraising to enable it to continue and expand what it delivers.
“BYCC is now a jewel in the centre of Bridport that is rapidly becoming the key venue for community activities and events,” says Ian Bark. “We invite you to come along to one of our anniversary events [listed below], make a donation, become a sponsor or just come along to the centre and use our facilities.”
BYCC 10th Anniversary events:
• Sunday 13 July – Big TEN Quiz Night
• Saturday 19 September – Open Day at BYCC
• Saturday 3 October – Bingo Night
Look out for posters and social media notifications – the BYCC team look forward to welcoming you. Follow ‘bridportycc’ on Facebook or for more information contact Kat Polanska at office@bridportycc.org.
To support the future of Bridport Youth & Community Centre, you can donate to its 10th anniversary appeal by scanning this QR code or by visiting the centre’s website, bridportycc.org
