A TEAM of devoted youth workers are celebrating a landmark moment in their history after The Lottery granted them £405,829 to help the county's youngsters.
Essex Boys and Girls Club, who have been flying the flag for the county's youth clubs since 1939, were one of 17 national charities to benefit from a £5 million fund.
And the kitty will be ploughed straight into the districts of Braintree, Maldon, Uttlesford and Tendring after parish councillors called for help because of a lack of activities for youngsters.
Assistant director Juliet Townsend, who has been with the team for two years, said the money will fund two new youth workers for five years to help set up youth clubs in those areas.
"We were absolutely over the moon when we got the news," said 34-year-old Juliet.
"There is no way we could have focused on the districts without this fund. We already work in those areas but this is going to make such a difference"
Based at Harway House, Rectory Lane, Chelmsford, the organisation, which currently supervise about 150 youth clubs across the county, initially bid for the fund for this precise reason.
"We help them run it so it's sustainable and we support people to run them and since the grant we've had such a positive reaction," she said.
"It's all part of a development process. We allow young people to try something new – only the other day we held an archery day.
"They come to try something entirely new but in an environment they're familiar with," the Colne Engaine resident added.
Before the clubs are set up in the districts, community consultations will be held in key areas where there are limited youth activities.
New projects will be created including development training, leadership and confidence building, behavioural and relationship workshops and practical sessions such as budgeting, fundraising, CV writing and interview techniques.
The Essex team is now looking to recruit the two workers and is holding open application sessions.
