TEENAGERS are notoriously given a bad press, associated often with noise, violence and other antisocial behaviour. But the sight that greeted me upon entering Redditch Youth House could not have been more different.

In one room, youngsters were quietly playing snooker and darts and in the activity hall, a group of teenagers were busily engaged in a game of five-a-side football.

Wandering around the building in Ipsley Street, with its warmth and welcoming colours, it was easy to see why young people are drawn to this place.

Youth House is a hive of activity, offering activities from football and netball to cooking, computers, art and outings.

Perhaps most importantly, there is always someone to talk to or confide in - with utter confidentiality.

Manager and senior youth worker Saad Bhatti said staff tried to offer the support and stability they felt teenagers needed to prepare them for adulthood.

"They don't always feel able to turn to their parents or teachers but our relationship with them is based on trust so they feel able to turn to us when they have a problem."

He added: "We try to encourage the youngsters to become good citizens so they can integrate with and participate in their community, instead of feeling alienated by it."

One of the methods used is to allow young members to take responsibility for different projects, such as decorating the building and taking part in elections where they vote for cabinet members for a youth parliament.

A financial committee, made up of youngsters, is voted by other teenagers to decide how and when money should be spent.

Mr Bhatti said residential trips were subsidised with money from the committee.

But he added: "Members are not given anything on a plate and a small financial contribution helps them to understand the value of money."

Youth worker Veronica Allen said: "We give the youngsters ownership of their own projects but we are always available to support them when they need our help."

She said youngsters had been responsible for several community projects through the Redditch Youth Forum.

A recent venture, the Holding Hands with the Homeless project, saw youngsters sleeping rough and interviewing homeless people as part of their research for a presentation.

Young people and staff at Youth House draw on support from external organisations such as the police, Worcester Racial Equality Group and Connexions, among others.

Mr Bhatti said access to these groups was important to enable teenagers to mix with the community and break down barriers.

"While we aim to close the gap between adults and teenagers, we also welcome cultural diversity and try to spread the message this centre is open to people across Redditch," he added.

Youth centres across the county, funded by Worcestershire County Council, are becoming increasingly linked to enable members to utilise any centre within the region.

Youthcomm, a communications project supported by Worcestershire Youth Service, provides a countywide radio station run by youngsters, a website and a text message service alerting them to events.

But staff at Youth House are keen to provide services to accommodate their own centre's needs.

Mrs Allen said the creation of Chit Chat Girls group addressed the issue of a shortage of female visitors to the centre, enabling girls to meet every Tuesday from 7-9pm to take part in sports, cooking, arts and crafts and games.

For more complex matters, detached youth workers from the county youth service work with 13-19 year olds in Lodge Park and Batchley.

They work directly with individuals, encouraging them to take part in community activities and directing their energies away from crime and disorder and into positive ventures.

Efforts are rewarded with a Youthworcs Award in the form of three certificates of achievement for each level, including projects, organisation of events and long-term commitment and contribution.

The buzz of activity which fills every day, evening and weekend must surely leave the nine youth workers feeling exhausted.

"It's very tiring and we work all the sociable hours available but it is so satisfying to know you're making a difference to young people's lives," said Mrs Allen.