CAN you find Space in your diary to help an expanding youth group make a difference to the community? That was the question posed by managers of Space, a youth centre based in WGC, as it held an open day designed to recruit new business partners to help

CAN you find Space in your diary to help an expanding youth group make a difference to the community?

That was the question posed by managers of Space, a youth centre based in WGC, as it held an open day designed to recruit new business partners to help its continuing growth.

Opened 14 months ago, Space is the result of a joint effort by the central Herts YMCA and church groups to provide a "living room on the high street" for young people with nowhere to go.

Originally opening for just one night a week, Space now runs various programmes from Monday to Friday, including caf�s, citizens advice, bereavement sessions, after-school sessions for 11 to 13-year-olds and evening clubs.

There are currently 70 volunteers, aged 16 to 89, who regularly help out.

Last week, businessmen and women, volunteers and members of the community were invited to the group's Church Road centre, to hear about the effect Space is having on WGC and the surrounding area.

Victoria Symonds, fundraising officer for the YMCA, said: "The idea behind today is to present to local business what Space is doing.

"I'm not sure many businesses would know what's going on here, and we want people to see the different programmes we're running and the difference we're making to the community."

One business already on board is John Lewis, which donated furniture to the centre.

Michael Burn, the WGC department store's community liaison officer, said: "Space offers the opportunity for young people to get together outside school hours in a safe environment.

"There's nothing else like it in the town centre, and if everybody does a little bit then it will go a long way."

For more information about Space, contact centre manager Christine Novelli on 01707 326573 or email christine.novelli@centralhertsymca.org.uk