Network Ryde - New Building Kit Out

Aim

Network Ryde are raising money to kit out their new Youth Centre to be able to provide a range of activities & experiences for young people.

Who are we?

Network Ryde's aim is to provide a safe, welcoming, inclusive space for young people where they feel comfortable and confident to be themselves. Network Ryde will strive to provide opportunities, support and signposting to other agencies for all young people who access us.

Network Ryde is the youth service for Ryde and is currently operating out of a rented shop front premises on the Upper High Street in Ryde and has been since January 2018. The Network Ryde team is made up of 6 members of staff with 4 volunteers and is part of the wider Ryde Town Council team of 25 members of staff. Network Ryde has a management committee comprising of Ryde Town Councillors, Police, Barnardo’s, representatives from local organisations and 2 young people who meet quarterly to review progress and support the development of Network Ryde. 

What do we do?

Network Ryde provides a range of sessions for young people 6 days a week including drop-in sessions, wellbeing sessions, Short Breaks sessions for young people with disabilities and also have an allotment nearby and run weekly sessions where young people can be close to nature and work outdoors. We have a robust safeguarding process in place and regularly participate in multi-agency meetings, Child Protection Conferences and Early Help meetings. 

Network Ryde is also an Open Award Centre for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and run Bronze, Silver and Gold Groups and currently have 50 young people enrolled on the Award at different levels. We offer 1 to 1 sessions for young people needing more intensive support with the appropriate referrals to other agencies as required supporting with mental health, accessing the Police and support with education. We have previously run targeted sessions at our allotment for young people at risk of school exclusion, anti-social behaviour and at risk of entrance into the youth justice system, funded by the Violence Reduction Unit on the Isle of Wight. 

Currently we have between 80 and 100 young people accessing us on a monthly basis however due to the limited space at the current premises we are unable to offer further support to other young people. 

Network Ryde's New Youth Centre!

Ryde Town Council became aware that St Thomas’ Church had been put on the market in July 2020 by its private owner and wanted to ensure that this historic and iconic building was saved from private development. Ryde Town Council purchased the church in January 2021. The building is now owned by Ryde Town Council. It is a substantial stone built Grade II Listed church dating from c. 1827 that replaced St Thomas Chapel. The church was in use until 1959 as a place of worship when its doors were closed for the final time. Since that time it has been used as a Heritage Centre and for temporary exhibitions, but has remained empty for at least the last ten years. 

St Thomas’ Church has 4 times the useable space than Network Ryde’s current centre has so we would be able to expand our offer and services available to all young people on the Island. The current centre has limited facilities with no kitchen, so we are only able to offer young people drinks, toast and fruit. See photos below. We have a small office that can be used as a confidential space but it only fits 2 people in so it is not suitable for meetings with young people.

Network Ryde was successful in securing a Youth Investment Fund bid for the capital works for the project in transforming the space into Network Ryde new youth centre. We have created confidential meeting rooms for youth workers and other agencies to use, a sensory room, an amazing kitchen and increased capacity for young people. However this is where we need your help and support in kitting out our new amazing space for young people to use. 

How can you help?

Our new kitchen - £2,200

Young people have asked for improved kitchen facilities to be able to hold cooking sessions which will allow them to be able to cook and eat together. We will also be able to bring produce that young people have grown from the allotment to the kitchen to cook with as well. By delivering cooking sessions it will help provide young people with life skills, as well as improving well being by being able to share their skills with others. We need to equip the kitchen with utensils, crockery, white goods, and appliances. 

Sensory and Wellbeing Room - £3,900

We would like to be able to provide an amazing sensory and wellbeing room for young people to use to help regulate themselves when things become overwhelming. We have looked at a package that is used within the NHS which includes a calming waterless bubble tube and base, wall projector and interactive colour change aroma machine with rocking seats as well. This will also support young people with additional needs who access our service. 

IT Pods and Gaming - £6,200

We are creating 6 IT stations in some of the pew areas for young people to use for homework, job opportunities and for project use. The PCs have Deep Freeze software on to ensure passwords are not saved and appropriate safeguards in place. We are also setting up a gaming pod that is separate from the IT stations for more interactive gaming. This will allow young people to use the facilities when they might not have the option at home. Gaming can help build friendships and reduce social isolation. 

Furnishings and Storage - £6,300

This is needed to provide furniture and soft furnishing throughout the youth centre, as well as storage for our Duke of Edinburgh's Award equipment. Below are the architect's drawings of what this might look like. 

Outdoor and Sports - £1,400

We have a small outdoor space outside the front of the new centre so would like to provide some seating areas for young people as we know the benefits of being outside in nature has on wellbeing. We would also like to purchase a table tennis table and yoga mats to be able to offer some additional physical wellbeing sessions. We have donated a pool table already. 

This project successfully funded on 15th May 2024