The History of Clubs for Young People

Pre-foundation

Clubs for Young People started off life in 1925 as the National Association of Boys' Clubs, aiming to consolidate this growing Boys' Club and Lads' Club movement. At the end of the 19th century the vast majority of young boys left formal education at the age of 14, therefore providing them with leisure time activities became seen as extremely important many boys only had the street as a place to socialise and let off steam after work. This situation lead to the formation of a number of Boys' Clubs aiming to help boys become happier, healthier and better citizens than they would be likely to become if they spent their leisure time hanging around the streets. The majority of these clubs were formed in deprived working class areas and slums in Britain's bigger cities, as these were the places where their services were needed most.

To this day Clubs for Young People believe that how our country's youth spend their free time is extremely important and strive to increase provision towards positive activities for young people. At the same time many of our clubs are still located in the more deprived areas of the country as it is in these places that young people are more likely to benefit from the services our clubs provide.

Initial Years Ð 1925-1939

Once founded the NABC grew rapidly, within a year five local federations were affiliated bringing 262 Boys' clubs with them while an additional thirty-three clubs were affiliated to the NABC directly. By 1928 fifteen local federations comprising 715 clubs had affiliated with a further 71 clubs joining directly. By 1930 there were 17 federations affiliated bringing 944 clubs, 107 of which were directly affiliated to the NABC. More than half of the federations which were affiliated by 1930 had not existed prior to the NABC's formation, showing the growing realisation that it was beneficial for Boys' clubs to form links and possess a central administrative body.

Surviving World War Two Ð 1939-45

Despite the problems caused by the war, the National Associatiation of Boys' Clubs continued strongly and was able to contribute positively to the war effort. The biggest problem faced by the NABC was the loss of club leaders due to army enlistment, while finding funding also became more difficult and the facilities of some youth clubs were commandeered during the period. However many clubs began new activities to help the war effort such as cultivating fallow ground, providing canteens for local soldiers, digging shelters and helping evacuated school children. Many youth clubs opened their premises as makeshift schools during the day. Boys Clubs' also helped children evacuated from the cities during the war to settle in to their new homes and make friends, playing a vital role in moral on the home front.

1970s and 1980s

Through the 70s and 80s the National Association of Boys Clubs continued on despite the difficulties of the economy, cuts in public expenditure, grants received and high unemployment nationwide. Youth unemployment was one of the key national problems which the NABC wanted to help alleviate. With youth clubs around the country, and many in the inner cities, the NABC was able to play an important role in helping young people into work. At the same time they were able to provide those out of work with an escape from the idleness of unemployment and the disheartening routine of the job centre and dole queues. Schemes were created which put unemployed young people to work on volunteering projects and teaching them new skills which would help find paid work.

Today young people face similar prospects of unemployment as were faced by the youth of the 70s and 80s and Clubs for Young People continue to provide opportunities for them to improve their employment prospects, through positive activities and training. For instance, as part of the Department for Work and Pension's ÒFuture Jobs FundÓ scheme, Clubs for Young People have placed a number of long-term unemployed young people on apprenticeship schemes.

Name Change

The National Association of Boys' Clubs officially changed its name to NABC-Clubs for Young People in 1992 in order to reflect that associated clubs were no longer single sex. This was again changed in 1999 to simply the National Association of Clubs for Young People. In 2005 the charity was rebranded as Clubs for Young People though the official name of the charity remains the National Association of Clubs for Young People.

For a longer version of Clubs for Young People's history please click here.