Switch Youth Cafe needs your support.

Aim

Help Switch Youth Cafe continue its vital work with young people in Maidstone.

Project aim

Switch Youth Cafe (also known as Maidstone Town Centre Youth Cafe) has been part of the community of Maidstone for the previous 6 years. The aim of our organisation is to support young people change or 'Switch' how they are perceived through positive action. 

How do we accomplish this?

Our first priority is to always place young people at the centre of everything we do. We aim to create an inclusive environment that considers the unique needs of each individual in which they feel welcome, respected and comfortable. Put simply, we are there for them when they need us to be, whether that is for a friendly chat, to have somebody listen without judgement, offer support, advice and guidance, to meet new people or simply be somewhere safe where they can get away from the pressures of being a teenager, which in our opinion, and in many ways, are more demanding then ever.

We have 5 rooms, the main cafe, a chill out room with a Playstation, an XBox room, a pool room and a music room. Young people are free to roam and utilise all of the space. As a registered charity (1127568), young people do not have to pay entry/membership fees, nor do they have to spend money to access our cafe. We are an inclusive organisation and therefore do not wish to discourage those that may not have from using our service. 

Our ethos

We believe that it essential that we work with not for young people. Whenever working with individuals or groups we maintain professioanl standards that represent the ethical approach of informal education. In other words, we will explore all the avenues possible with the young people we support but they are required to make the decision that best suits them and therefore understand the importance of accepting responsiblity for those decisions and the impact they may have on themselves and others. 

Encouraging responsibility

Using regular consultation and our experience, we establish understanding and respond to the needs of the young people that utilise our service. We host youth forums, support groups, facilitate programmes on topics such as drugs and alcohol and sexual health, create community events, offer over 2000 hours per year for young volunteers, engage with a wide ranging number of partners to promote and refer their services and generally listen and respond to individual needs and concerns. Underpinning everything is our believe that by providing opportunities for growth and development we support the recognition that young people can and do have a positive role to play within their community.

What we provide

A unique and much needed service. As well as our general opening and simply being there for support we also engage young people with youth forums, support groups, workshops, a free counselling service and much more. Our support ranges from drugs and alcohol, family and relationships problems, being advocates for those in need, homelessness, sexual health, providing a safe haven, crime reduction and prevention, education and work and anything in between. If we do not know the answers our extensive partnerships across the local area means that we know somebody that will. Our work was recognised last year as we were finalists at The Kent Charity of the Year Awards demonstrating the important role we play within the community

What our young people think

‘Switch has encouraged me to be myself. I have spoken to people about my mental health issues and they have helped me so much! If they hadn’t been here for me I don’t know where I would be now or whether I’d be here at all. It’s also a fun place to chill out with friends and get out of the house. We can be ourselves, not be judged and for me that is a big thing as I have been through bullying. I feel safe when I’m here and we can have a laugh with the staff as well who understand you. It has become a second home for me and my friends. Switch is more than a youth café! It is like a family. Thank you Switch’

'Because they listen to what you have to say (within reason!) and take our opinions into account'

‘Switch does so much for the community for young people. It gives them a place to go out of the cold, people who care to talk to, a place to chill and a place to have. Whether you are waiting for a bus or have nowhere to go or you can’t get away from it all – Switch is there. As a volunteer it gives you something to care about, a reason to get out and about where your help is appreciated and wanted. When someone cheers when you walk through the door or actually cares how your day was you know they have your best interests at heart’

‘Switch is a great place for teenagers to go. I am thankful that Switch is here because it helps me with my everyday life. It’s somewhere safe to go and be with friends and the staff are great. I can get help and advice from Switch and they keep us safe with the sexual health nurse being there to address and help with the teenage problems of society today in a nice, carefree, chilled out environment.’

‘Switch is amazing in my eyes, I’ve always felt safe here! It is like a second home to me, my family trust me here. Since coming here about 4 months ago I’ve gained more confidence in myself. I’ve met a lot of amazing people here, the staff are so kind and helpful to anyone who have problems or feel alone. Not only does it help me and others at hard times but it helps our community keep our young generation off the streets/drugs. They give us help if we are lost and teach us what’s right and guide us from the wrong in the world.’

‘Switch encourages me to get out of the house and socialise with my friends. It encourages me to get away from the computer screens and have fun. Everyone is so kind at Switch and I just don’t know what I’d do without it. Thank you Switch’

‘I feel valued which is new for me’

‘Thank you for letting us be us’

Why we need your help

We have been lucky to be funded by The National Lottery over the last five years, however this has now come to its natural conclusion and therefore Switch Youth Cafe is facing the challenge of maintaining our current services to our young people with the limited funding we have. Although we continue to seek other avenues, with cuts to funding across the country we need your help!

We currently work with an average of 90 young people a day and this number is increasing. Although we are lucky to have so many volunteers we also need professional and experienced staff to support the ever increasing and wide ranging concerns and issues that are presented.

While we are looking into other avenues of alternative funding, your help right now in our plight to continue providing this vital service could make all the difference!

This project closed unsuccessfully on 24th August 2016