in-cumbria

Cafe has skills on the menu

Last updated at 14:37, Monday, 02 July 2012

A BARROW charity is set to open a new cafe this weekend in a bid to encourage young people to learn new skills.

EAT AND LEARN: The Barrow branch of Nacro (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders) is opening the cafe to give young people somewhere to meet, eat, and learnsubmitted

The Barrow branch of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro) already offers education programmes for young people, and a youth club style service with activities including pool, games consoles, a cinema and art facilities.

With the new cafe, based at the centre in Burlington House, Michaelson Road, charity workers also hope to give young people the opportunity to learn more about the other services they offer.

Project manager Helen Bunting said: “I hope this is a good way to get young people involved. They can play sport, use the computers and computer games, watch films in the cinema or make use of the hair salon.”

The cafe, which will open in the evenings and school holidays, also includes a graffiti wall.

Over 30 young people are enrolled on the various education programmes which include vocational and academic courses. Nacro provides many school leavers with the skills they need to gain employment or go to college.

Mrs Bunting added: “The people that come here have said they want a cafe. They want something that belongs to them, and they can volunteer here to gain work experience.

“This is particularly useful for our catering students.

“The aim is to recreate the ‘coffee bar’ experience of the 1950s and 60s, where young people will be able to meet, have a drink and something to eat which is affordable, and listen to music and socialise.”

The cafe will also give Nacro youth workers the chance to offer support and guidance to young people, including volunteering and work experience.

For more information contact Helen Bunting on 01229 838697 or email helen.bunting@nacro.org.uk.

First published at 13:10, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk