Sarah Strickett is leaving her post as youth worker in charge at the Phab Youth Club in Douglas after 30 years of involvement, being one of three generations of her family to have worked there.

She first became a volunteer at the government-run youth club at the age of 10 in the early 90s, after going with her cousin to club nights.

And now she has been employed at the government run-club, which was founded in 1957, for the past 20 years.

Her mother Linda has also worked for the club for 15 years, and now Sarah’s two sons Luke, 19 and Cameron, 17, will be continuing the tradition, having started as volunteers at a young age.

Once they turned 16, they were employed by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s Youth Service, providing sports coaching and support alongside more general youth work.

Sarah said: ’There have been many highlights for me, most notably being able to see so many children grow up being a part of the Phab family.

’Having the members from the age of 10 until they reach 21 means the families accept you as almost a part of their family and being a part of the journey as the children grow up has been an honour and a privilege.’

The family called it ’an end of an era’.

The government-run youth club is based at Cronk-y-Berry school and is aimed at young people aged from 10 to 21 with additional needs.

It runs every Tuesday at 7pm during term time.

Phab has members who attend from all across the island, with the support from the Rushen Round Table organisation who provide transport for those who live in the south.

The club’s name stands for ’Physically and Able Bodied’, with Phab clubs, which are designed to be inclusive, having been set up across the UK to allow disabled and able-bodied children to enjoy the same activities alongside each other.

It is also hosting its annual awards ceremony on Zoom on December 18 at 7pm, which the club said will ’be like a TV show’.

It invited all members and supporters to attend by following the link posted to its Facebook page, ’Phab Club, Isle of Man’.

DESC’s principal youth officer Nigel Howard commented: ’The Phab club is our only referral based youth club and it provides a range of activities and respite to young people and their families.

’Each time I visit this club there is always arranged activities, young people involved, creating some interesting crafts, or baking cakes and buns.

’Sarah and her sons have worked at this club and on other holiday schemes for the past 19 years and she will be sorely missed by the young people and the families she has supported.

’Sarah works within education as her full-time role and has continued to do this evening role, her knowledge, commitment, ability have been utilised well for services for young people and I hope she continues to remain involved in whatever roles she chooses.’