Poole | Posted on September 24th, 2026 | return to news

The Grove Youth Club in Upton to reopen this Friday

Funding from YMCA and Purbeck Local Alliance puts the club back in action.

Young people in Upton will soon have a dedicated local youth club as The Grove reopens thanks to YMCA Bournemouth working with Lytchett Minster & Upton Town Council to deliver the service.

The Town Council has committed £25,000 per year for the first two years of the youth club, investing in local young people and helping secure the future of open-access youth provision in the area.

A further £4,500 from the Purbeck Local Alliance Group will support the purchase of new equipment for the club.

The reopening follows extensive consultation with local young people. Nearly 800 students at Lytchett Minster School responded to the Councils’ survey, with strong support for a local space where they could meet friends, relax and spend time together.

Mayor, Cllr Ray Griffin said: “Youth provision has been a major priority for the Council this year, and we are proud to support the bright future of our town with a new, free youth club. We cannot wait to see the positive impact that this partnership with YMCA Bournemouth will have on our young residents, their families, and the area.”

The news is part of a wider development in YMCA Bournemouth’s youth work at Townsend Youth Centre and The Chatterboxes, and efforts to re-establish youth provision at the Stourvale Centre in Pokesdown.