Press Release :Joy as Free £20,000 Revamp Revitalises Youth Café
Wednesday 21, October, 2009
Thrilled youngsters are celebrating a free revamp of Gorbals Youth Cafe worth more than £20,000. Hundreds of young people aged 10 to 18 use the café and clubs at Waddell Court, Glasgow. They enjoy free activities like cookery, pool, table tennis, computer games and internet access. The Café is run by a charity which could not afford to upgrade the facilities but on hearing of their plight, housing contractor, Wates Living Space, came to their aid. Staff fixed a leaky roof, installed new lights, created storage and seating and fitted computer benches. Glasgow Housing Association also donated £5,000 to help buy new equipment for the centre and a further £5000 for youth activities. The project also received financial support from the local tenants committee and the city council’s area committee. The centre now boasts a flat screen TV, laptop computers, a Wii and a projector. Tracey Boyle, Gorbals Youth Café project manager, said: “We owe Wates a huge ‘thank-you’ for the fantastic work they have done as well as the GHA and the local tenants and area committee for their donations. The centre has been completely transformed and the young people are delighted with the results.” David Blackwood, Project Manager for Wates Living Space said: “Gorbals Youth Café is a great project doing valuable work in the area, Wates were only too pleased to step in and help out. It is really rewarding to see the young people enjoying their new surroundings.” Sandra Forsythe, Chair of GHA, said: “Improving communities is what Glasgow Housing Association is all about so we were delighted to work in partnership with Wates and to help the young people at Gorbals Youth Café. We hope they enjoy their new facilities for years to come.” Wates Living Space is currently carrying out extensive refurbishments on four multi storey blocks in the Gorbals for Glasgow Housing Association. This charity initiative is one of many undertaken in communities by Wates. They are only possible due to long term investment works allocated to Wates by GHA. Image: Bailie James Scanlon and Frank McAveety MSP join youngsters to celebrate the revamp of Gorbals Youth Café.
