Youth club keeping kids off streets marks 140 years

The boss of a youth charity in south London that is celebrating its 140th anniversary says she believes it has prevented youngsters becoming involved in crime.

The Devas Club in Battersea says it provides "safe space" for children and teenagers, with music, craft and sporting activities.

Set up in 1844 with the purpose of boosting the prospects of local youngsters, the club is still improving young lives, says its director, Marylin Ross.

A special gala dinner at Battersea Arts Centre is being held to celebrate the "milestone" anniversary on Monday evening.

Ms Ross said the legacy of the club's founder, Oxford University graduate Jocelyn Devas, was still alive.

"The exciting thing is that 140 years ago, we had a man that came to Battersea straight out of uni and saw the need of young people, and worked with the same aims we have today," Ms Ross said.

She said the focus now was giving purpose to youngsters who would otherwise be at risk of falling into lives of crime.

"It's about giving them somewhere to go so they don’t feel they need to hang around on the streets," she said.

"It gives them self-esteem and builds their confidence," she said

In addition to the activities it provides, it also runs an after school provision, picking children up from school, giving them meals and helping them with homework.

Ms Ross said the charity has extended its hours to cover the "vulnerable period" between 16:00 and 18:00.

But Ms Ross added it had been a "battle" at times to survive government funding cuts. Although the Devas Club has so far remained in operation, many other youth services across England have closed in recent years.

According to the YMCA, 490 local authority-run youth clubs closed across England from 2011 to 2023.

In response, a spokeswoman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “This government is committed to supporting our youth sector and the vital support provided by organisations, charities and community groups in every part of the country.

“Our Young Futures programme will bring local services together to deliver support for young people in their communities, providing high quality opportunities and helping to tackle youth violence."

Ms Ross said the anniversary event would be attended by members of the hip hop act So Solid Crew, who themselves attended the club, as well as George the Poet and a family member of the club's founder.

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