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Tullamore's New Youth Cafe Is The Place To Be!

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Members of St Mary’s Youth Centre who are preparing for the ‘Moves Like Jagger’ fashion show which will be held in the youth club on Saturday, 11th of February. TT047756

ST Mary's Youth & Community Centre have completed the first phase of their new Youth Cafe 'P2B' - the place to be.
There was a lot of disruption to the centre while works were carried out but now that phase one is complete the centre operators are encouraging young people to come in and see what has happened and to let them know what activities they would like to see going on in the Cafe.
The main parts of the first phase saw a revamp to what used to be affectionately known as the coffee shop into the 'HUB' of the Cafe.
Here members can just sit on the comfortable sofas or bean bags and chill, listen to music, or if they feel like doing something more energetic then they can use some of the many pieces of technology in the HUB.
The HUB is equipped with a fully internet accessible PC Station, XBOX 360 station and a Wii station.
In the case of the PC and the XBOX, they can be used with their own individual screens or they can be connected to the wall-mounted large screen via the projector.
The Wii is connected directly to the projector. Of course the computer room with 20 PC's is also available for use by the members.
The old canteen area has been completely changed and is now a tea room where members can make their own snacks and enjoy them there.
This area boasts a cooker, fridge, coffee machine, George Foreman and microwave for members' use.
The final part of the first phase of the cafe development was to extend the games room upstairs so that the whole of upstairs can be used for activities.
This area is equipped with two pool tables, two table tennis tables, air hockey, fussball and a dartboard. The rooms can also be used for dance if the members would like to do so.
Of course the main sports hall is also available for soccer, basketball, badminton, volleyball, unihoc and other sports.
On Monday and Wednesday nights the hall is used by the Shotokhan Karate club who would be delighted to talk to Youth Centre members who wish to join.
Members can also just sit around and have a coffee, chat, listen to the latest music, play games, plan or take part in activities that they have agreed on or whatever it is they would like to do.
The Youth Cafe is called P2B (Place 2 Be) thanks to Sarah Gleeson from Killina Secondary School who won the competition to name it.
The Cafe is open every day except Saturday. The opening times are Monday - Thursday 7-9pm, Friday 7-10pm and Sunday 3-6 pm. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are for 1st and 2nd Year post primary students only while the Friday and Sunday session are open to all members.
Monday and Thursday are for the older members generally from 15-20 years of age. Membership is €10 for the year with a €1 fee each day members attend.
Currently the senior members are planning a Fashion Show for February 11th (see adjoining report for more information about this event).
Last year the members went to France as part of their two-year exchange programme and they have also organised a boxing programme in the club.
The concept of the Youth Cafe is that the members will make the decisions on what programmes are run and will take responsibility for the running of the Youth Cafe with the help and support of the staff and volunteers in the Centre.
'Please feel free to drop in and see what is happening and remember that the Cafe is primarily meant to be a place for young people, run by young people,' said centre manager Bill O'Hanlon.
Planning for phase two has already begun with the first week in September set as the completion date.
Phase two will see the old stage adapted to incorporate a rehearsal space for young musicians and as part of that there will be regular open mic sessions in the Centre.
'The lack of opportunity for young people to practise their music was something that was identified in the initial consultation process for the planning of the Youth Cafe and while it is happening as phase two we feel that it is possibly the most important part of the whole process,' said Mr O'Hanlon.
'We wish to acknowledge the input of Pobal and the Dormant Accounts for their financial support of the project. We would also like to thank Offaly County Council and the VEC for their advice and support throughout the planning phase as well as their guarantee of ongoing support whenever it is needed,' he detailed.
'Many other agencies such as the HSE, the Gardai and Shine as well as elected representatives and community members have assured the young people of their continued support for the Cafe. This support will make it easier for the young people to access resources to run programmes and activities that they are interested in being involved in,' said Mr O'Hanlon.
If you would like to be part of the Youth Café then please just drop in and chat to any staff member or volunteer or speak to any current members. You can also contact the Centre on 057-93-22963, email stmarysyc@eircom.net or check out the website www.stmarysyouthcentre.ie

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