‘Desperation stage’ for youth cafe facing closure
Safe hang-out for teenagers needs donations to remain open
A popular youth cafe which has helped thousands of teenagers is facing the threat of closure.
Switch Youth Cafe on Maidstone High Street has been offering a safe place to go for young people in the area since 2010.
The centre sees around 18,000 visits a year, from more than 1,000 teens.
But grant money and other options have dried up and the support service could shut its doors for good on Christmas Eve.
Mark Chase, cafe manager, admitted the situation has “reached desperation stage”.
He estimates the venture costs around £84,000 a year, and says although there may be other sources of funding, the service cannot keep running unless cash can be guaranteed.
As well as being a meeting place, Switch supports young people in getting help with substance abuse, crime and antisocial behaviour, and those struggling with mental health issues.
The youngsters who visit the cafe on a regular basis have taken the news hardest of all, with many begging the public to make donations to save it.
Nicole Berryman has been going to Switch regularly for the last two-and-a-half years.
The 17-year-old said: “I’ve made really good friends here and I get on really well with the staff.
“They have helped me a lot with anxiety and it’s a good way of getting out of the house.
“If it shuts I don’t know what I’d do, as lots of places cost money, and if I couldn’t come here I’d probably be facing peer pressure and other problems.
“I feel safe in here, I don’t feel safe around town.”
Sixteen-year-old Rosie Ford added: “I have got to do so many amazing things here.
“I’ve been able to make good friends, and get help with issues I’ve had.
“I feel safe coming here and having a laugh with the other people. “Nothing bad happens here.” To donate visit http://tinyurl. com/switchfund.