Inspire has launched a brand-new Friday night drop-in for young people in Lowestoft.
Thanks to support from Councillors Smith, Gooch, Byatt, Scrancher, Pitchers, Starling, Gee and East Suffolk Council, Councillors Robinson, Back and Suffolk County Council and the PCC Safer Streets Fund, a drop in will be running at Colville house every Friday 6pm to 8pm.
It’s open to all young people in Year 7 and above and will include activities such as gaming, pool, sport and music. There will also be space to chat, with the session designed to offer a welcoming and supportive environment for teenagers to connect and be themselves.
The launch follows the success of Inspire’s other youth drop in sessions in other locations, including Friday nights at Hadleigh’s Youth Centre and Ipswich Youth Hub.
Lowestoft also has Social Space on a Thursday night, for those aged 16 to 25. Recognising a gap for younger teens in the area, Inspire acted to bring a similar provision to the local area.
“We’ve seen how powerful these spaces can be for young people,” said Victoria New, Inspire’s Project Co-ordinator for Youth & Community Work in Lowestoft.
“With the need growing and feedback showing how valued youth clubs are, particularly among vulnerable children, we knew we had to do more.”
The initiative was celebrated by a number of local councillors, who came together to support the launch and champion the importance of youth services.
Cllr Myles Scrancher said how important it is to provide funding, so that young people have somewhere to go.
“We’re at a time where there aren’t that many facilities for young people to use,” he said.
“We want to take it back to a time when we had plenty of youth clubs. With the struggle with loneliness now, it’s important everyone has somewhere to go that they’ll feel welcomed.”
Cllr Peter Byatt echoed the sentiment, adding: “We’re realistic to understand that funding pockets are limited, so if we can make a difference in our local community by all working together as councillors, then that’s important and it makes all the difference.
“Community should be first. It’s a place they can go where they can be together.
“There are also people here who are trained to spot issues and talk to them. It gives them somewhere safe they can open up.”
The Inspire Friday Night Drop-In is free to attend and runs weekly at Colville House, Lowestoft, 6pm – 8pm. All young people from Year 7 and up are welcome.
