THE VENUE ...

• The building is on Lower High Street.
• This is a good location centrally located, near the shops and bus stops.
• It is a good size and has lots of rooms which can be used for different things.
• The Council own it and said we can use it!

WHAT WOULD BE IN IT?

• We would like to have a cafe area selling affordable sandwiches, drinks and snacks.
• We would like to have meeting rooms.
• We would like to have workshops for fun and for learning.
• We would like music, dukebox and live open mike nights.
• We would like young peoples art exhibitions and clothing ranges.
• We would like it to look stylish and fresh and appealing to everyone.

This is the venue we are planning to have the Switch Youth Cafe!

The Switch Yout Venue is down the road between The Barber Shop and In-toto. 

One of the rooms down stairs

The lovely sink in the bathroom!

The ceiling downstairs/the floor upstairs!

A room upstairs

WHY IS THIS PROJECT NEEDED?

• For over a decade young people in Maidstone have wanted their own youth venue.

• This was confirmed by recent research coducted by Maidstone Youth Forum and the University of Kent; The "Hanging About" project which explored why young people gather in large groups in the town centre.

• This confirmed that young people want to meet with their friends in a safe central location, near the shops and buses and don't want to cause trouble.

WHY DO WE NEED SWITCH?

• For young people aged 11-21 years old.
• there are a few places we can go without being branded as antisocial and being moved on.
• It will give us a place to go of our own.
• It will be a safe place to meet.
• According to consultation for the Youth Matters Strategy young people would like a place to go, somewhere that's their own,  a place to feel safe, with different activities and advice and guidance (WE took part in this!)

ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR ...

• Set up a steering group of young people and partners.
• Submitted bids and gained £5,000 from the Youth Opportunities Fund.
• Gained 300 signatures of support within 45 minutes in the Town Centre.
• Gained strong support from Maidstone Borough Councillors and Kent County Councillors, gaining £10,000 from members grants.
• Awarded £40,000 from the Youth Capital Fund!
• In total we have raised £55,000 (so far)
• With this support we have explored many venues.
• Held gig nights to raise awareness, teaming with KCC Youth Service , YOG bands and Infozones Flash filming project.
• We have employed a part time member of staff to support us.
• We have commissioned Hit Communication to produce a business plan and marketing stratergy

AND ...

• WE HAVE FOUND A REALLY GOOD VENUE!!!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ...

For more information please contact Martin Caville on the details below:

Telephone: 01622 602795

Email: martincaville@maidstone.gov.uk