A CHARITY is working to improve youth projects at an arts centre in Bicester.

Oxfordshire Youth Arts Partnership (OYAP) is running a number of projects at the Courtyard Youth Arts Centre and plans to extend its services.

Last year, Oxfordshire County Council announced it was changing the county’s youth service by creating early intervention hubs in towns across the county.

Each hub, including the Courtyard Centre, offers services for issues including drug abuse, antisocial behaviour and pregnancy.

Before the changes, activities at the Launton Road centre included gigs, plays, after-school clubs, and dance and music sessions.

Now under the leadership of Helen Le Brocq, it is hoped new activities can be offered to young people.

Mrs Le Brocq said: “The perception is this place hasn’t got anything to offer, but although we are starting small because of funding, we fully anticipate running programmes for the next three years.”

Future plans include a rock school, setting up a youth action team to improve facilities and cultural events for young people, and a mentoring scheme to equip teenagers with valuable skills.

The partnership has some cash which will go some way to help pay for the service for the next three years, but it will have to raise money to keep going.

OYAP plans to apply for grants, but is also urging local businesses to get involved.

Jessica Massey, 11, from Bicester, has been decorating a chair at an after-school club at the Courtyard.

She said: “I really enjoyed decorating the chair and when it is finished I am going to bring it home and give it to my two-year-old brother Ryley.”

County council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “Thirteen out of 26 youth centres continue to operate under the control of the council, while the others have remained open through a range of initiatives, such as the transferral of the building to other organisations or via grant funding.

“The Courtyard is actually providing more sessions on a variety of topics than it was previously. OYAP is a tenant at The Courtyard.”

For more information, visit bicestercourtyard.org.uk