Youth centre offers free hot meals during winter

Free hot meals are being promised to young people during winter by a youth centre for the third year in a row.

The Way Youth Zone said it will provide dinners to anyone aged eight to 19 until March after receiving support from the City of Wolverhampton Council and funding from Intermediate Capital Group.

The charity's centre, which is used by about 2,800 young people in Wolverhampton, offers access to activities that range from wellbeing programmes, sports and arts to employability workshops.

Chief executive of the youth centre, Paul Snape, said: "We are determined to ensure that every young person in Wolverhampton has a safe place to go where they can enjoy a hot meal."

He said: "We are once again able to deliver this vital service during a challenging time for so many families."

A recent survey conducted by the youth charity, OnSide, reported that 30% of young people in the West Midlands were concerned about the cost-of-living crisis, with 12% reporting they felt unsafe where they lived.

Mr Snape said it was important that young people have somewhere in the city to "stay warm and take part in activities that inspire and support them".

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.