The Up2U Youth Club, based at St Mark’s Church in Wellingborough, has celebrated a remarkable milestone: ten years of volunteer-led work with children and young people from the local community.
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To mark the anniversary, young people and their families gathered on 6 March for an evening of lively celebration featuring inflatable axe throwing, Sumo suits and a generous buffet. Local dignitaries, members of the press and long‑standing supporters of the youth club joined the festivities, filling the room with joy, gratitude and a deep sense of God’s fruitfulness over the past decade.
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Up2U was founded in 2016 by Fiona and Adelle, two members of St Mark’s congregation, after the vicar recognised a need to better engage young people on the surrounding estates. Traditional activities such as Messy Church were not connecting in the way hoped, so the pair—who both had children of youth‑club age—spent a year shaping a space that would genuinely meet young people where they were and the result was Up2U.
Since then, the group has grown steadily, largely through word of mouth as young people invite their friends. Today, it provides a safe and vibrant space for around 120 children every other Friday evening. Young people enjoy a mix of sports, crafts and guest speakers, alongside time in church for relevant, seasonal and accessible Christian input. At its heart, the club aims to nurture a sense of community, care and faith.
Up2U has become a valued place where young people feel listened to, supported and free to explore questions of life and faith. The youth club’s success shows that passionate volunteers can grow sustainable, thriving and deeply inspiring ministries with children and young people. Corinne Broughton, Children and Youth Parish Support Worker for the Diocese says “What truly matters is having volunteers who care deeply, who listen well, who understand how young people want to spend their time, and who intentionally make space for a meaningful ‘God slot’—a moment where faith, hope, and God’s love can be shared in ways that speak to the hearts of teenagers.”
The anniversary celebration on 6 March was a joyful opportunity to look back over ten years of growth, transformation and faithful service—and to give heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of the journey.
Up2U Youth Club runs fortnightly, during term time. More details can be found via their Facebook page.