'Friends' Group Created For Hogarth Youth And Community Centre

Open Evening hears of crucial role the centre plays in lives of young people

An open evening at the Hogarth Youth and Community Centre in Duke Road was held (Thursday, November 14th) to raise awareness of the Centre’s youth services and the crucial role they play in the lives of hundreds of young people and their families.

Over 75 local residents heard presentations by Denny Anthony, the Centre’s Youth Officer, who explained how his positive childhood experiences at a youth centre led him to follow a career path in youth services. A mother of three, a grandmother and a young man who had attended the Centre from childhood and now volunteers all shared their own heartfelt personal stories, confirming the importance of the Centre’s youth service.

The Centre is run by a charity and trustee, Fred Lucas, outlined the programme of activities on offer and explained its current financial position. He announced that the recent creation of a ‘Friends of the Hogarth’ group will encourage residents to get involved by giving some money and/or volunteering time and skills in order to sustain and build the Centre’s youth services in 2020 and well beyond.

The event was organised and supported by three new Friends of the Hogarth: Tony Bowden, Joan D’Olier and Pam Morrow. Many volunteers helped out. John Todd, Councillor, Chiswick Homefields, described it as “an inspirational evening.” Beverage support was generously provided by Fuller’s Brewery and by local residents.

If you would like to become a Friend of the Hogarth please contact the Centre Manager, Jamilla Amra (jamilla.amra@hogarthtrust.org.uk).

The Centre has been running for over 40 years and currently provides activities and school holiday programmes for over 600 young people aged 8-19. It's future has been under threat due to cutbacks in council funding for youth activities.You can read our previous coverage of the club's battle to stay open .

November 23, 2019