News Release
Grand launch for Switch youth
café
The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Peter Parvin, and
the Maidstone Youth Forum will officially open the Switch Youth
Café on Saturday (March 13).
Cabinet Member for Community Services, Cllr
Marion Ring, said: “The Maidstone Youth Forum (MYF), which is
supported by Maidstone Borough Council, will see their dream become
a reality. The young people have worked very hard over a long
period of time to achieve their dream of a youth café in the town
centre and have received strong support from the council. It shows
what can be achieved if you have a vision and determination to
achieve it.”
The Switch Café, which will be opened with a
ribbon cutting, will be opening for an initial period, for a few
days after-school and on some Saturdays during the next few weeks,
gradually building its opening times over the next few
months.
Alice Vereker-Hales, MYF Member and secretary
for group, said: “We’ve been working on this project for so long.
It’s so amazing we can provide this for young people in Maidstone!
It’s so cool!”
The MYF has been involved in every decision
along the way, from the choice of premises, to the colour of
chairs, and the choosing of trustees, and getting funding at
critical times.
The café will be a comfortable space for young
people to come to meet and enjoy drinks and snacks. It is hoped
free wi-fi access will be available too. There will be
opportunities for young people to volunteer at the café and to gain
accreditations in social enterprise. The café will also be used as
a meeting space for other youth organisations, and the upper floor
will be rented out on a permanent basis to a number of youth
related organisations, which will help the Switch Café to become
financially sustainable.
Cllr Ring added: “During the school day the café will be
available to hire for local community groups and organisations with
a youth focus. Not only will this provide a source of income
contributing towards running costs, but it will also foster a sense
of community around the café and ensure it is always being
used.”
For information on opening times and other activities and
projects visit the switch cafe website
Date:
March 10, 2010
Ref:
KS/100308