Help from The Warren

Hi, my name is Suraya Begum and I am a volunteer at The Warren community resource centre in Hull. It's a place where young people aged 16 to 25 can benefit from a huge range of services and facilities.
They can get counselling, advice about sexual health and drugs, take part in DJ sessions, football training, join a walking group, use computers and the internet, and there's a crèche and much more available – all for free.
The Warren is a really important place and I don't know what young people would do without it.
I've been coming along for two years and in that time I've met some great people and I've grown in confidence.
For example, just before Christmas I spoke in front of a big crowd at Hull City Hall as part of the Love Music Hate Racism youth music event.
Although I felt nervous backstage, I received a lot of support and it was just an amazing experience to take the microphone and speak on a subject that means so much to so many young people in Hull.
As a volunteer at The Warren, if I ever notice anyone new I always help them feel welcome and show them around the building and introduce them to people to help them find out what the place can do for them.
And by coming along I'm also getting involved in the Can Do education courses through which I'm learning administrative skills such as how to use databases and spreadsheets.
Next September, I'd like to do a youth work apprenticeship and the training and experience I'm receiving at The Warren will help me in my future career.
If young people need something to do in Hull this summer, or if they want to get voluntary experience to help them find paid employment, I can strongly recommend that they come to The Warren.
Meanwhile, many of you may have seen the Secret Millionaire programme shown recently on Channel 4 in which The Warren was featured and money was donated for music making and recording.
The Warren has its own recording studio and record label and more and more young people are using the facilities to rehearse and record their work.
Secret Millionaire really lifted the atmosphere around the place and everyone at The Warren is grateful for the programme's help.

Council leader Cllr Carl Minns was unable to write this month's Insight due to publicity restrictions surrounding the European elections on 4 June.
His column will be back next month.