All Saints’ Church is opening a weekly Youth Café in the Parish Hall in January, run in partnership with 4Youth (SW).
The Youth Café will take place on Friday evenings and will include hot food, games, activities and a listening ear from the youth workers and volunteers from the church’s congregation.
“Some instances of anti-social behaviour in All Saints’ and the churchyard over the past year have made us aware of the difficulties some young people face and the lack facilities for them,” says the church.
“After discussions we will be trialling a Youth Café in the Parish Hall on Friday evenings in partnership with 4Youth (SW). This will be for an initial three month period. If it goes well we hope to extend for a full year.
“We are currently working with 4Youth on the details and going through safeguarding and ensuring all the policies and procedures are in place.
“4Youth has been running a detached youth service in Westbury for more than two years. They meet with young people on the streets of Westbury and build up relationships. They offer advice and support. In their discussions the young people told 4Youth that they would love to have a safe space indoors. We saw that we could meet this need by using the Parish Hall for this purpose.
“The sessions will include hot food as many young people are not getting hot food at home. There will be games and activities and a listening ear from the youth workers and volunteers from our congregation.
“We will be seeking donations for the food from local businesses. We are applying for funds to support the cost of the youth worker and other expenses.”
