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Churches on the front line in Hamilton

This extract from an Evening Times feature tells how local churches have joined community police, youth groups and the council in establishing links with teenagers through schools and clubs in Hamilton.

Youth group Hyzone runs a drop-in centre for teenagers every Sunday night at the community centre.

Hyzone was set up by St Mary’s Episcopal, Hamilton Old Parish, St Andrew’s Parish, St John’s and Cadzow Parish churches, and is partly funded through Lottery cash.

Graeme McKerracher, the project’s co-ordinator, said: “The churches felt as if they had to do something because there was a drop in the number of kids enrolling in the Boys Brigade and the Scouts.

“There was no agenda, they just felt as if their youth work wasn’t reaching teenagers in Hamilton.

“The reaction we have had so far has been great. It’s about offering kids the chance to do something positive in a group.”

He added: “If you engage young people, then the hope is that they will come to you when issues like territorialism or drugs arise.

“We have volunteers in their 70s who help out and it’s been a big eye opener for them. The drop-in centre has changed their image of young people.”

Full story at the Evening Times.