PICTURE 1: Before the popular I Youth Zone projects came about, previous schemes to give young people a safe place to participate in a range of activities and get involved in their community existed across Inverclyde

This week I have chosen one youth project which met with considerable success and provided the youngsters of Larkfield and Braeside with many opportunities. These are my five favourite pictures from Larkfield Youth Project.

This sunny picture taken in the July of 1996 and shows youth workers and boys from Braeside taking a break during a youth soccer tournament. 

As the would be footballers tucked into refreshing half-time oranges under a blistering sun, they made this picture which featured in a spread of photos in the pages of the Tele. 

PICTURE 2: The girls take to the field this time but at a different location. 

The project made use of sporting facilities across Inverclyde and there was never a shortage of young people who wanted to take part. 

Angela Thain, Laura Graham, Carol Condon, Michelle Carrol and Lisa Phillips are seen in this picture, taking part in hockey coaching held at what was St Columba’s High School before it shifted across the hill to Fletcher Avenue. 

PICTURE 3: Young quiz winners got in front of the camera for this picture as they proudly showed off their winnings after a display of general knowledge expertise. 

Quiz days were very popular and kids really took the sessions seriously. 

Although the days of the Youth Cafe are gone forever, new initiatives to help young people thrive by using their own creativity and resources have taken root in the community. 
New youth projects such as I Youth Zone are geared for modern society and kids are free to make use of digital and social media. 

The centres, which are spread across Inverclyde, give young people access to music workshops, arts and crafts and a place to meet and socialise. 

The I Youth Zones also give kids a place where they can get advice on mental health, sexual health, alcohol abuse, drugs and bullying. 

Thanks to social media, peer pressure, bullying and everyday pressures on youngsters are on the increase, and the zones help make sense of this fast moving world we live in.  

PICTURE 4: The Larkfield Youth project is seen here receiving a much needed cash boost form the National Lottery Charities Board in 1996. 

Then Provost Cathie Allan posed up for the shot with grateful youngsters who intended to make the very best of their new-found funds. 

PICTURE 5: What better way to raise funds than wash the cars of those who can’t be bothered doing it themselves! 

Kevin Rodgers, who was in charge, made sure there were of activities and opportunities to have fun and be productive at the same time.