Trowbridge Future creates Mill Street youth centre for professionally-led youth sessions
A new youth centre to cater for the needs of young people in the town has been created by local charity Trowbridge Future.
The Mill Street venue in central Trowbridge will provide a safe space for young people to attend professionally-led youth sessions where they can enjoy a range of activities, spend time with friends and benefit from youth worker support.
Trowbridge Future has run evening youth sessions from Studley Green and Seymour in recent years, but limited space has restricted activities, as well as the number of children who can join.
“We are so excited to open the Mill Street centre to young people and to see them enjoy what it has to offer. From table football and air hockey, to a gaming room, to cooking, mentoring and craft spaces, it has everything that we have talked about together, to give our wonderful young people the space and support they need to really flourish,” said Deborah McLean Youth Manager at Trowbridge Future.
Poppy, who has been attending weekly youth sessions for several years and is now a Youth Ambassador for the charity, said: “‘Opening Mill street, has done wonders for Trowbridge Future and it gives the club a chance to expand and make more youths lives better.”
Mill Street is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the Future High Streets fund managed by Wiltshire Council, Selwood Housing and local businesses and organisations who fundraised for the project and gave their support in kind.
Meg Aubrey, CEO of Trowbridge Future, said: “We are so grateful for the financial support that has made this project possible and the local businesses that have fundraised for us, and given their time and expertise to renovate and create the space for us.
“We have aspired to a dedicated, central youth space for many years and to have the support of the National Lottery and local people to make it possible is a wonderful achievement for Trowbridge.”
Mill Street was officially opened by Florence Espeut-Nickless, writer and actor who is the charity’s first patron, at an event attended by Trowbridge Mayor, Cllr Stephen Cooper, local businesses and individuals who have been key to its launch.
Florence worked with young people from Trowbridge Future when she wrote Trowbridge’s contribution to The Odyssey for the National Theatre project hosted at Trowbridge Town Hall.
Speaking at the opening she said: “I first came to Trowbridge College as a teenager and the town holds a special place in my heart. Everyone needs a space outside of school and home where they can be themselves and find connection, and Mill Street is now that space for young people in Trowbridge.”
The Mill Street sessions will initially run for young people already registered with the charity, launching in April. For new enquiries please email youth@trowbridgefuture.org.uk.
The charity is currently recruiting a Youth Development Leader to work as part of the Mill Street team. Please visit www.trowbridgefuture.org.uk for application details.
