A community charity’s efforts to support west Kent’s young people and tackle crime and wellbeing issues in the area have been recognised over the past two weeks.

Just over a week after Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes visited Swanley to check out West Kent Extra’s ‘No Bother’ project, youth commissioner Kerry Boyd was in Edenbridge as part of a fact-finding mission looking at the work of the Sevenoaks Community Safety Unit.

She visited the House project at the Eden Centre in Edenbridge during a tour that also took in Swanley’s detached youth work hub and skate park, Swanley police station and House in the Basement in Sevenoaks.

While visiting House at the Eden Centre – also set up by West Kent Extra - Kerry was introduced to Ben Reynolds, who has been a prominent member of the youth scene in Edenbridge since joining the town’s youth forum at the age of 14.

Ben, now 19, volunteered to help with the House project and was involved in setting it up before recently taking on a role as sessional youth worker.

WKE's youth work manager Keith Rowell said: "More importantly. Ben is very valuable to other young people in Edenbridge as a mentor and role model.”

Keith explained the thinking behind the House project and explained that local young people had been involved in the ‘look and feel’ of the venue, which is open between 6pm and 9pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

House focuses on health and well-being, with advice available on drugs and alcohol and on sexual health and contraception as well as on crime and staying out of trouble.

It also has a well-equipped recording studio as well as games console, television and plenty of space to chill out and chat with friends.

Leader in charge Cheryl Banks also organises trips out during the year.

Ann Barnes had visited the ‘No Bother’ project the week before after agreeing to provide £4,000 from the Youth Diversion Fund to help it continue.