A SCOTTISH charity is marking 100 years of helping young people and families.
Aberdeen Lads Club has been providing vital services in the east end of the city for an entire century and says demand for its services is continuing to grow.
Set up in 1924 by local businesses, the club has played a pivotal role in the lives of many local children.
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John Struthers, president of Aberdeen Lads Club, has been involved with the club for almost 50 years. During that time, he has seen many young faces come through the doors, from Denis Law to Dave Smith and Ron Yeats.
From early years nursery to after school clubs and youth clubs, the charity provides a range of invaluable support to families in Tillydrone and further afield.
The club’s manager, Angie Johnston, has been involved for 33 years.
Speaking to STV News, Johnston said: “When children come to our services, we’re not just there to support the children but the family as a whole.
‘‘The financial crisis has absolutely had an impact on families’ lives. Families are facing many different challenges.
“One of the things we try and do is to be as inclusive as possible – making sure we can open our doors for anybody, removing financial barriers where possible and making our fees as low as possible.”
As the youth club marks its major centenary milestone, it maintains the same goals it did when it first began – to support, inspire and encourage the next generation of young people in Scotland to reach their full potential.
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One of the children the charity has helped is Chelsea Davie, who came to the club when she was a young child.
Both her parents were volunteers and now her son attends the group, making him the third generation of his family to be supported by the service.
Davie said: “They looked after me when I was younger so I knew he would be safe, and I knew he would get taught the way I wanted him to get taught.”
Located at the heart of the community, the services have been essential for hundreds of families.
Davie said the club was a huge part of her childhood growing up.
“It’s a safe place. You’re learning new things all the time, the sports, the bouncy castle, that was my favourite part when I was younger.
“All your friends were here, and it was just fun to be here all the time really.”
Although the service is now settled in Tillydrone, it used to be based in The Gallowgate, Mounthooly and Woodside before finding its permanent home.
You can find out more about Aberdeen Lads Club here.
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