The Millennium Young People’s Advice & Information Centre in Bridport is celebrating having received £10,000 towards the cost of a youth worker and its running costs. The grant has been made by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales through its Community Open Programme.
The Mill Coffee Bar in North Street aims to provide a relaxed home from home environment where young people aged 11-25 can drop in, chill with friends, play pool or use the internet while accessing free counselling services whenever they feel the day to day pressures of life. The team focuses on encouraging young people to discover their self worth and take responsibility for their lives in a relaxed atmosphere. The Coffee Bar is primarily used by 13 to 16 year olds who can access resources such as Connexions, the Dorset Drugs and Alcohol Advisory Service, Relate and LINX.
Graham Purse, chair of The Mill commented, “We nearly closed last year, each year we have to find an additional £20,000 over and above our statutory funding. This grant will make a significant difference and will mean that we can continue to great everyone with a big Mill smile.”
The Mill Coffee Bar is currently recruiting for volunteers, particularly people who are good at listening and are non-judgemental. Appropriate training will be provided. Anyone interested should call 01308 423090.
Trevor Smale, South West manager for the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales said, “The Mill provides a broader range of services for young people than would normally be available in a small market town; we are delighted to help support it.”
The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales supports charities that help disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in the community. Local or regional charities with an income of £1million or less in the South West can find out more about the funding criteria and grant programmes at www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk.
