Next up in our Spotlight series is Chloe Adam, one of the driving forces behind Haslemere’s Youth Group, A Place to Be, aimed at 11-14 year olds. Chloe’s been working in a range of roles with young people in Haslemere since 2017. Listening to her enthusiasm while describing to This is Haslemere her goals for the charity, we started wishing our own children were still young enough to enjoy everything on offer at APTB, as it’s commonly known.

Every Friday evening, Chloe and her team of volunteers open their doors to local schoolchildren in years 7, 8 & 9 who come along to participate in a range of activities. Indoor football or basketball matches are organised in the sports hall along with enthusiastic air hockey, pool and table tennis matches. Mario Kart and Nintendo Switch are also available or if the guests just want to chill with their friends, there’s a more relaxing Chill Out zone available. All sorts of activities are arranged each week. Last month saw one for the girls: a Design Your Own Tote Bag evening. The week after there was a Teen Nerf Battle and my favourite: a Chocolate & Chill evening…bliss!  Every Wednesday APTB hosts a free meal from 6.30-8pm and if required, counsellors are on call to have a quiet chat with young people who might have issues they need to discuss, while Fridays are more dedicated to activities.

Chloe clearly loves her job and gets a real kick out of seeing new friendships being made and in seeing some of the less confident guests slowly coming out of their shell as they join in on the fun. And while she’s got a small group of enthusiastic volunteers to help her out, she desperately needs more to help her keep this invaluable show on the road. So if you’re the active type and happy to start up a game of basketball, here’s your chance. Equally she welcomes adults who are happy to just sit down and chat or steer their guests towards some of the more sedate crafty activities. 

Following popular demand, APTB have just opened up a new session aimed at just years 7  & 8, so if your 11-13 year old is sitting at home bored on a Wednesday or Friday evening, do get in touch. Everyone at APTB would love to see them!

If you’d like to find out more about volunteering or sending your child to APTB contact Chloe on youthleaderaptb@gmail.com. You can also find APTB on social media or visit their website here.