Fifteen years after starting to volunteer at Bolton Lads and Girls Club (BLGC), Karen Edwards has been appointed as the youth group’s chief executive.

Taking over from Jerry Glover, Edwards will now lead the OnSide North West project to replicate BLGC in new youth clubs across the region.

Having started as a volunteer in 1995, Ms Edwards soon embarked on her training for a career at the club and was offered a full-time position in 1997 developing a mentoring scheme which went on to win the National Training Awards last year. She has since led several successful BLGC projects including the pioneering pathways2success programme for young people not in education, employment or training.

“I feel hugely honoured to come through the club and be given this role,” she said, "and I thank the club, Jerry and the board for investing in me."