Trojans also provides access to volunteers from corporate bodies who are able to help with, for example, playground redesign. Trojans is also attractive because teaching staff do nothing once they have been invited in. We always have sufficient numbers of trained staff and volunteers so that we know who is where - and doing what. Central to the Trojans philosophy is that children's views count. One child called the clubs Kids' Cities.
Clubs are highly structured - a mix of play, education and free time.
No one is turned away. The first club at Eardley allocated 11 spaces but 33 children had to be accommodated. Three activities are offered each session, which run until 5.45pm. Among the activities are cookery, IT, drama, junk modelling, chess, martial arts, crafts and talks given by visiting tutors. A third of parents use the clubs as childcare, but its main aim is providing fun, fitness and educational play.