Madam, Some of your readers will be aware of the Basement Youth Trust (BYT), a small charity in Ross on Wye. The Trust has, since 1995, been working to make sure that there is a safe place for young people to be in the evenings. Despite tough times and tough circumstances the Trust has managed to keep going and currently runs 'Open-Door' Drop-in Sessions for teenagers on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the Y-Zone Youth Centre, Hill Street.

Moving forward, the future looks more positive now than for a long time. There has been publicity about the future of Youth Activities but we are confident that the BYT will continue. Indeed, if plans are successful, the BYT will develop and grow to further benefit the young people of Ross.

However, in order to do this the Trustees need 3 or 4 other volunteers to join them. Anyone who has an interest in young people, who feels that providing positive experiences for young people is important and who can spare a couple of hours a month could become a Trustee of the BYT. Please could anyone reading this consider if they could offer to help and, if they can, contact Sue on 01989 562145 or email [email protected]">[email protected] to arrange a convenient time to talk.

ue Wilding, Coordinator, Basement Youth Trust