The Swan Youth Centre in Berkhamsted has launched a fundraising campaign after being turned down for a vital lottery grant.
Last week Clare Muir, co-ordinator of The Swan, was given the devastating news that after months of planning, a £30,000 lottery bid had been refused.
Determined not to let it stop the good work the group does, Clare is now calling on the local community to get involved and help support the project that offers a safe place for the youth of the town to go.
Rather than a surge of cash, Clare is determined to create a steady flow to help sustain the centre.
She intends to do this by approaching local businesses and the community for regular donations.
Already backing the project is Berkhamsted Town Council, which agreed to give a £6,800 grant at a finance and policy meeting on Monday.
The cash will be used to train staff and open a Year 8 drop-in on Thursdays from 6 to 8pm and a Saturday drop-in from 2-6pm.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Garrick Stevens said: "I have long been a supporter of the work Clare Muir has been doing with the young people. It is a first-rate project and it deserves our support."
Cllr Lindy Foster-Weinreb, who is also a trustee of The Swan, added: "It is a credit to Berkhamsted and we must give it our full support."
Clare, who was delighted to hear she had been awarded the grant, said: "I don't think people really know what we do at The Swan and I would invite anyone to come down to see the work we do.
"We offer a safe alcohol-free place for teenagers to come and to keep developing it we need financial stability.
"If businesses were to donate we could introduce so many other activities the youth of the town want."
Aimed at teenagers between 12 and 18, The Swan, on the High Street, already runs a drama group, sexual advice teen clinic and gig nights to name a few of the activities.
For more information or to book a visit to the centre call Clare on 01442 384349.
The Swan's number has now been reinstated after months of dispute.
The Swan phoneline had been cut off when the payment of a bill got caught up in the postal strikes.
When it was eventually switched back on, it was discovered a new number had been assigned.
However the original number, 01442 384349, has now been reinstated, said Clare.
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