A NEW youth project has been opened in the Borders.

The Kelso Youth Project was launched at the town’s Abbey Row Community Centre.

Having been set up by Cheviot Youth, the project is aiming to address the previous lack of voluntary youth work service provision in the town.

It is being given financial support from Scottish Borders Council and will see them offer opportunities for peer engagement through running a number of evening drop-in sessions and after school clubs throughout the year.

Commenting on the launch this week, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John Lamont said: “I was delighted to be able to attend the launch of the Kelso Youth project. For a while now there has been a lack of opportunities for young people in Kelso, and this project will do a huge amount to redress this problem.

“It is clear from talking to those running the project just how enthusiastic they are about engaging with young people in the area, and how much they want to help. With activities ranging from film making to how to be a DJ, I have no doubt that this project will prove to be popular with youngsters in the area.” Local councillors Tom Weatherston and Simon Mountford also attended the launch to show their support.

Councillor Weatherston said: “Youth work can be tremendously important in helping to improve social skills and boosting the self-confidence of young people. It is great news that the Kelso Youth Project is now up and running and offering youngsters in the area opportunities they simply didn’t have before.

“In a region such as ours it is vital that we offer young people the chance to grow as individuals, and the range of activities being organised by the Project aim to do just that. The fact that youngsters will be involved in the running of the club will also help to ensure that it stays current and continues to develop activities of interest to those using it.” Kelso Youth Project is aimed at youngsters between the ages of nine and 18.

Councillor Mountford said: “The programme of events that the Kelso Youth Project have in store for the town are very exciting, and promise to offer some great opportunities to anyone aged between nine and 18 years of age.

“Youth work can help to offer important help to youngsters at important stage in their lives, as not only can it help to develop them as individuals, it can also help to provide a steer towards what they want to do in later life.

“It is undoubtedly good news that we now have a Project like this up and running in the Kelso area, and I look forward to seeing them go in the coming years from strength to strength.”