Mayor’s praise for popular youth project

Published Friday, 15th March 2019

The Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Allan Barclay has praised the work of volunteers on a visit to a popular youth project in the town.

The Mayor paid the tribute when he called in to the Rifty Youth Project, based in the Rift House Community Building in Masefield Road.

The project – which has been running for ten years – organises a range of free evening and holiday activities for young people aged 6 to 17 as well as providing them with meals during the school holidays.   

Mayor's Rifty visit

The Mayor tries his hand at pool at ‘The Rifty’ watched by (left to right) fellow Manor House Ward Councillor Marjorie James, Hartlepool Borough Council Leader Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher and Rifty project team members Linda Harvey, Stephen Akers-Belcher (who is also a Manor House Ward Councillor), Jade Cavanagh and Lesley Sparkles

Councillor Barclay said: “This is an excellent initiative which offers young people lots of fun activities in a safe environment to help keep them occupied when they are not at school.

“The success of the project is testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of all the volunteers who give so much of their time to the project. I hope ‘The Rifty’ will continue for a very long time to come.”

Linda Harvey, Rifty Youth Project Manager, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Mayor to the Rifty to meet the team. Everyone involved in the project loves helping the young people and seeing the enjoyment they get from our activities. It’s really nice for us all to get a visit and a ‘pat on the back’ from the Mayor.”