Youth Café Project Advances
On Saturday 22 April the Highland Perthshire Youth Initiative (HPYI), held a very successful all day strategic meeting with young people, committee members, supporters and volunteers (pictured below). They looked at the progress of activities and grant applications over the last year, formed a strategy for the year ahead and added some more young people to the committee.
With regard to premises for a Youth Café, the day showed overwhelmingly that it was “full steam ahead” with renting premises such as a shop in the centre of Aberfeldy. Progress with trips and activities has been successful but limited so far. Now is the time, it was felt, for the initiative to move up a gear, relocate office premises to the new Youth Café. This will give much more contact with young people, provide a much needed café facility and will be a boost to activities. This is also a positive step forward towards the longer-term plan of opening up a Youth Café in a converted larger building such as the former “Birks Cinema”.
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An application to the Big Lottery Fund is now being drawn up for a feasibility study to be carried out on the former cinema to assess its potential as a Youth Centre. This would also have a Community Café, a soft play and crèche area and a soundproofed music practise and recording space that could be flexibly rearranged to provide a small conference facility or cinema. Another aspect would be an IT skills suite to provide internet access as well as training opportunities for young people. Additionally there would be a homework/study area and office space for staff and to rent out to gain income.
Meanwhile other Grant Aid is to be worked on to secure a local Youth Worker and also a part time Music Development Worker. These staff members will develop an ambitious series of activities and projects, not only in Aberfeldy but also in locations throughout the area.
The new Radio Project, as part of Heartland FM, will bring about more young voices on air and intends to develop programmes from Kinloch Rannoch, Blair Atholl, Kenmore, Pitlochry and Aberfeldy.
Volunteer Help Sought
The Youth Initiative has received offers of help from several parents and supporters, but with the new projects there is a need for additional helpers. Several mini projects are lined up such as encouraging local youth bands to record and sell a CD of their own music, film making and photography skills workshops, trips to gigs and putting on music gigs in various localities.
David Graham, Youth Development Worker with the Initiative told Commen: “We want to have a system of Voluntary Work where training is offered locally, to help volunteers better understand their role in helping young people make the most of what we have to offer”.
“For another of our activities”, he continued, “we need adults to volunteer some time for a few weeks offering guitar and drums tuition for young hopefuls aiming to improve their abilities. We also want to support the creation of new youth bands. We would like to hear from young people who have formed bands, or who are thinking of doing so”.
“Other volunteers are needed for general help at events a few times each year for a couple of hours each time. Now is the time for people who have heard about the Youth Initiative to come forward with offers of support. Please contact me and we will discuss how you might help”.
David can be contacted on the new Highland Perthshire Youth Initiative phone number 01887 829746, at the office currently in the Locus Centre, The Square, Aberfeldy, or by e mail: youth @hpcp.co.uk
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