In this occasional column, we summarise an example of how young people have brought about change.
Organisation: Fourways Youth Centre - 4ways Youth Cafe
Issue: Young People wanted somewhere safe to go at weekends.
The situation: Young people who used Fourways youth centre expressed a need for there to be somewhere to go during the weekend and showed interest in a youth cafe. The young people applied for funding, consulted other young people over the menu, worked with architects and visited another youth cafe to help them to plan.
What children and young people said: "It is a place in which young people can get healthy food for cheap prices, which is something they don't get often. Also, it's a place to go to have fun and keeps us off the streets!" "I have learnt about catering by volunteering in the Youth Cafe and really like catering for the events at the Youth Centre."
What's Changed? Young people are now able to access the Youth Cafe on a Saturday between 10:30am and 2:30pm. It provides healthy, low cost meals to users. Users are also able to use the Youth Centre. The cafe is also open on Monday and Tuesday evenings and provides catering for events held at the youth centre.
Every Child Matters outcomes: Making a positive contribution; being healthy; staying safe; economic wellbeing. Please send your examples to participation@nya.org.uk. See also www.nya.org.uk
