“I’VE got to do something.”

Those were the words of rugby coach Darren Parsons before he set up a youth club and transformed the lives of hundreds of children.

Frustrated with the lack of facilites for young people in Rochford, and with antiisocial behaviour on the rise, he took matters into his own hands and decided to set up the group which now has more than 100 members.

In July, after months of preparation, Kaos Youth Club opened at Ashingdon Memorial Hall, Ashingdon Road, Ashingdon. And it has been a standout success.

Mr Parsons, 49, who runs an executive vehicle hire business, said: “I’ve been coaching my rugby team since they were five and I see a lot of them hanging around with nowhere to go. When they were not playing rugby they were just hanging out in the streets.

“I was born in Rochford and have lived here all my life and when I was a young lad I went to a youth club in Rochford and it was really good fun. I just thought, I have got to do something.

“I thought there ought to be something for them to do, so I spoke to the county council and they gave us the building.”

He eventually found a property in Ashingdon and now hires it on a weekly basis.

He added: “I have had fantastic support, from Rochford District Council and the parish councils, lots of funds and support.

" I have also had donations from parents, I set up a Go Fund Me page and got lots of donations. It’s going fantastic.”

Mr Parsons said he believes the club has reduced antisocial behaviour in Rochford and the surrounding areas.

He added: “Anyone is welcome to come here and we have new members all the time.

“It’s good to give the young people somewhere to go with activities they can do.

“Before the club I went to the Memorial Hall and there was always kids just hanging about in the park and now there doesn’t seem so many and there doesn’t seem to be as much hassle anymore.”

The youth club leader feels there are not enough affordable activities in the area for children and for parents to send their children to and the youth clubs is trying to combat that.

“What there is to do in the area is expensive, it costs about £10 to go to the cinema or to go roller-skating and parents just don’t have the money.

"If you have more than one child and they want money for food or drink, it all adds up.

“We are trying to give children the opportunity to do activities like this but in an affordable way for parents. We have been given tickets to take some of the children to see Southend United.

“We want to provide somewhere the young people can go to meet up with friends and socialise.”

The youth club has grown in numbers significantly since it started in the Summer.

Mr Parsons said: “On the first night they had just five young people but we have just got more and more, and we now have over 100 young people on the books.”

He thinks the club has been life changing for many members, adding: “It has helped all the kids. It has helped them make new friends and helped with their self-confidence. This will all help them in the future.”

The young people pay a £10 annual membership, with a £2 charge each time they attend, to cover running costs.

The club is open every Tuesday evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm but hopes to increase to more nights if they are able to buy their own permanent venue for the club.

The youth club offers a huge range of activities with an emphasis on cooking.

Mr Parsons explained: “There are so many activities, we love doing cooking. We have made pizzas, spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, cakes, nachos, everything.

"One of the main things the council wants to do is teach kids to do basic cooking, so it’s a good thing to do. Waitrose in Leigh supply us with all the food for free.

“We also have play football, pool table tennis, do crafts, have disco’s, watch films and have days out.

There are ten volunteers at the club and two young leaders. The children range from 10 to 15.

“I’m trying to get the older one from the club to look after the young ones, it’s good so they can learn responsibility.

The club caters for everyone and anyone.

“We have children here that have aspergers, cerebral palsy, autism, mental health problems, all children are catered for.

“I was told by one parent how fantastic her daughter has been since coming to the club, with her confidence and making new friends.

“I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for them.

“Lots of the children have made really good friends and some from a different school to them. We have young people come on their own and they make new friends.

“There is something for everybody there, it is ideal and they love it.”