Young members of Scotland’s longest running youth club can continue to enjoy a taste of independence thanks to a £1,000 donation from Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust.

This crucial funding will help the Maryhill-based Shakespeare Street Youth Club to sustain and expand its food programme, which provides meals and cooking classes for local children and young adults.

Founded over a century ago, Shakespeare Street Youth Club, lovingly known as ‘The Shakey’ by locals, has become a home away from home for Maryhill’s young people, running five nights a week and offering a friendly, welcoming environment for children from primary age through adolescence.

Besides providing meals and snacks, the club engages members in activities focused on health, wellbeing, and essential life skills.

Through initiatives like its cooking club and Friday night youth café, Shakespeare Street Youth Club helps the enthusiastic youngsters to gain confidence, learn about budgeting, and develop cooking skills in a supportive community setting. Youngsters just like Orla, who is enthusiastic about attending The Shakey each week. She said, "it’s fun, and it’s exciting and enjoyable. I love learning new things at the cooking club!"

Peggy Dalrymple, Acting Senior Youth Worker at Shakespeare Street Youth Club, said:

"Thank you so much to Allied Vehicles for the generous donation. This money will help us to expand our food programme for all our young people. It will give them the chance to learn about planning and budgeting for meals whilst also giving them more opportunities to cook by themselves for their peers."

The funding from Allied Vehicles will allow the club to continue offering meals for young people, and go towards purchasing new kitchen equipment, enabling members to cook their own meals.

These additions will boost the cooking club experience, allowing members to build practical skills and independence. The equipment will also be used in future community initiatives, including healthy cooking classes for adults.

David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles Group, commented:

“We’re delighted to support Shakespeare Street Youth Club in providing such valuable resources for young people in Maryhill. At Allied Vehicles we are passionate about serving our local community, and The Shakey has been doing that for over 100 years."

"This funding will help them to sustain a welcoming space where the community can gather, learn life skills, and feel empowered to take on new challenges, both in the kitchen and beyond.”