YOUTH groups and clubs in West Devon are set to get support and advice from a new 'hub' due to be set up by people concerned for youth provision in the area.

Spearheaded by Anne Johnson, a Tavistock town councillor who has been involved with voluntary youth groups in the town for the last 40 years, and Cath Gristy, a lecturer at Plymouth University and also on the board of Tavistock Youth Café, and supported by VOYC Devon (Voluntary Organisations for Young People and Children), the idea of the Tavistock Area Children and Young People's Hub has been created to draw groups and clubs together to support each other and find out about other youth groups and activities available.

Anne said: 'I knew Cath from school, but she contacted me as a town councillor.

'We discussed the lack of youth provision in the area, and realised that although there is a lot going on for young people, as time has moved on, the support has become more distant.

'We decided we needed to bring things back to grassroots level.'

VOYC Devon has offered its services to the hub to support the development of this community network and offer its experience of voluntary and community sector support and communication infra-structure.

A meeting will be held next week for people who support and work with children and young people and anybody interested in getting involved with the community initiative at Kingdon House Community Centre in Tavistock.

Anne said: 'We are holding the meeting to see if there is a need for such an initiative.

'So far the response has been really good.

'There are still people in isolation in some villages offering youth services, who don't get enough support.

'We would really like anyone involved in a group or individuals to come along, so we can talk to people and see what the need is.

'We have put a lot of work into what we have done so far, so we hope we can start to help people who support the young and ultimately help the young themselves.'

The meeting will be held at Kingdon House on Thursday, January 23, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.