Lottery scheme’s £500,000 is just the tonic for Bingley’s youth

Bingley’s Youth Cafe, launched officially last night, has been up and running since July and has already attracted 160 members, well above its target of 100.

Organisers of the scheme, which has council and police backing, said they wanted to send a message that Bingley was investing in its young people following the official launch of the £500,000 Youth Cafe project at the Bingley Pool.

Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services have said the cafe is already catching the imagination of 13 to 19-year-olds, and the Bingley Neighbourhood Policing Team have said the scheme, which is based at the Bingley Pool, has already made a positive contribution towards reducing anti-social behaviour in Bingley since it was launched following a £498,903 grant from the Big Lottery.

The scheme has been supported by businesses and residents including architects and IT firms, all of whom chipped in with cash and free or heavily discounted work to get the project up and running.

It is now operating five days a week providing young people with services such as cooking lessons, arts and crafts workshops, games, music and practical services and training from partners on topics such as sexual health and finding work.

The service has become the first of its kind for a number of years in the area and has filled a real gap in provision for young people, according to organisers.

Paul Stephens, chief executive of Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services, said: “It is great to see the plans of the last few years come to fruition. We always knew there was a need for another youth project in Bingley and people of all ages within the community told us this was the case.

“Now we have an excellent team to working with the young people, led by Paula Stone and to see so many young people using the Youth Cafe at this early stage confirms that are plans were absolutely right for Bingley and district.”

Inspector Andy Croasdale of the Bingley Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We have had a long-standing involvement in the Bingley Youth cafe and are delighted to see it be received so positively by residents and, more importantly, the young people who use it.

“We have already seen anecdotal evidence which suggests a drop off in incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area since the cafe opened and in a time of national cuts, it is just good to see a positive news story about a service opening.”

Sergeant Di Collins of the Bingley NPT, added: “Some of the feedback we have had is already suggested that teenagers who may have been drinking before on an evening have stopped and are turning up for sessions at the club alcohol free so the evidence is there that it is having a positive effect.

“It has also been heartening for us to see such an excellent response from partners and residents who have really invested their time and money in delivering services for their young people.”

Councillor David Heseltine said: “This has been a true collaboration of individuals, organisations and young people all working together to bring this fantastic facility to fruition in Bingley. Key to the delivery of this project is Shipley & Bingley Voluntary Services who masterminded the Lottery bid and the delivery of the build, we also need to thank all our contractors and suppliers for a job well done the Shipley Area Committee for grants totalling £14,000 and my fellow ward councillors for their ward investment fund contribution of £15,157.”

Graham Hutton, Bradford youth service manager, said: ”I know that young people have freely given their time and worked very closely with the Shipley & Bingley Voluntary Services and Youth Service staff to design the Café to ensure that young people in the Bingley area have access to a range of services.”[email protected]