Inside the youth club 'saving lives' with karaoke

More than £130m of government money is to be made available to help support disadvantaged young people using music, sport and drama. The BBC has been to one youth club in the Chancellor's home city of Leeds to learn about the challenges it faces, the opportunities it offers, and the difference additional funding would make.

Even before entering the Hunslet Club in Leeds, the sound of karaoke and laughter can be heard blasting through the walls.

Alex is on the mic, belting out the lyrics to popstar Benson Boone - his favourite thing to do at the youth club.

"The first song I ever sang was Beautiful Things," the nine-year-old says, adding that he feels "quite chilled" when he gets up and takes centre stage.

Alex has been going to the club every week for the past year and wears with pride a green coat emblazoned with its logo.

"I think it is special because without this community, all the children would be on their electronics all day," he says. "It is fun and has loads of activities."

As Leeds' only purpose-built youth centre, the club offers sessions such as boxing, gymnastics and pom-dance for less than the price of a cup of coffee.

But it is their free youth club which attracts increasing numbers of children.

Since January, the numbers coming through the doors have continued to break the club's attendance records, most recently peaking at 121.

Staff member Zoe Creasser says the success is "bittersweet".

"It is good, because we get to help children experience new things: making friends, building their confidence," she says.

"We just want to shout about that and let everybody know we are here.

"But we are seeing rising numbers of young people taking part in our free youth services, [and] we attribute this to the cost-of-living crisis. It is a sad truth."

While the sound of singing bounces around the walls, the smell of flapjacks drifts through. Young people can spend their time here baking in the kitchen, gaming in a room filled with consoles, or washing their hair in the salon.

"The facilities we provide here are vital for young people," Ms Creasser continues. "South Leeds is ranked in the bottom 10% of the country in regards to deprivation.

"The hair and beauty salon is something we are really proud of. We get groups of young girls coming in, and for some, it is the only place they can wash their hair, use products or the styling tools.

"They can go to school and tell their friends they have access to things like that - there is common ground, and they can fit in."

According to the charity UK Youth, demand for youth services "far outstrips supply" across the country.

Oscar Bingham, its acting director of impact, says two thirds of young people do not have access to youth services.

"Funding cuts have disproportionately impacted the most deprived areas," he tells the BBC.

In last month's spending review, Chancellor Rachel Reeves committed to unlock £132.5m of dormant assets to help disadvantaged young people access music, sport and drama, through investment in facilities and libraries.

Mr Bingham welcomes the funding as a "much needed step in the right direction" but says it will not be enough to fill the gaps left by "devastating cuts" in recent years.

"We also do not have that much detail on exactly how the money is going to be spent on youth development and youth work," he says.

"The scope of the activity to be funded is pretty broad - from sports, arts, and music education, through to what is called mentoring, and youth clubs."

This autumn, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will publish a new National Youth Strategy setting out how government will support young people.

"The crucial role of youth work needs to be formally recognised in that strategy, and in how the government delivers on it," says Mr Bingham.

Away from the boom of the karaoke, 14-year-old Kaydeen has found her voice in an altogether different medium - art.

"When I first started drawing and painting, I was able to express myself more easily," she says in the club's art room.

"I could explain my emotions - [which] I found it easier to do through art than talking. I was able to get everything out."

Since Kaydeen's growth in confidence, she has started to volunteer in art sessions, helping younger children to express themselves.

And she now has plans to become an art teacher in later life.

According to an impact report evaluated by Leeds Beckett University, the Hunslet Club generates a social value of £120 annually for every £1 spent.

"We do not want young people on the streets," says operations and finance manager Jenny Baldwin-Baker.

"Young people in these areas are seeing a lot of things they should not: drugs on the street, knife crime - they can end up down the wrong path.

"We want children to be children, we want them to reach their full potential."

Among those to have benefitted from the youth club is Darren Rhodes.

The 49-year-old attended the club as a teenager and, after gaining recognition as a professional boxer, he has returned to coach at the "special" club.

"As a young teenager, you start doing the wrong things and copying your friends - but it saved me and put me on the right track," he says.

"This club has saved a lot of people; it has made a lot of people better, and a lot of kids better young adults."

Back at karaoke, Alex finishes his rendition of Beautiful Things to whoops and applause.

After taking a bow, he turns to a sheet of A4 paper. As well as performing, the nine-year-old has taken on the role of MC and is organising a list in blue felt-tip pen of children keen to perform.

"I like helping out," he says, smiling - and the next performer steps up to the microphone.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.