Liverpool youth centre the Croxteth Gems Community Association has been saved from closure after receiving a grant from a local housing association.

Cobalt Housing secured the facility’s future until the end of next year with a donation of £24,000, tiding the organisation over until an application for further funding can be submitted.

The immediate future of the Croxteth Gems, which provides daily support for families and offers a range of activities for around 250 young people every month, was in jeopardy after its National Lottery funding ran out earlier this year.

Club co-ordinator Jean Hannah says: “This lifeline helps us to stay open while we wait to hear if our new Lottery funding application is successful. We can’t thank Cobalt enough.

“They have always been very supportive of the centre, including our outings during the summer holidays, Halloween and Christmas parties, and this extremely kind gesture is a lifesaver.”

The Croxteth Gems, a £4m purpose-built centre on Armill Road, also includes a sensory room, soft play area, dance studio and main hall, and the association provides a range of other health, wellbeing, family welfare and support.

The centre started up on a small patch of land in 1969 and has undergone several revamps over the years.

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