Children and young people in Kington are in for a treat when they see the results of a big refurbishment project at their youth centre next month.
Kington Youth Centre on the Lady Hawkins School site closed before Christmas so that the building could be revamped and turned into a new centre for children and young people.
A state of the art information technology suite has been developed, new kitchen facilities, lots more storage, additional toilets and a new outside play area for young children. The work has been carried out so that the building can be used to provide services for younger children and their families five mornings a week, in addition to improving the building for the young people who use it at lunchtimes and evenings.
As well as providing the usual youth club activities, the centre will be able to offer an occasional Ofsted registered crèche, adult learning opportunities in the IT suite, parents support groups and activities, childminding support group and health support services including health visitors. In addition, links will be available to Job Centre Plus, Kington Library and local community groups such as Homestart and Kington Leisure Centre.
Members of the public are invited to look round the building and meet some of the children and young people who will be using the centre at an opening ceremony on Thursday 17th April from 12 noon to 2pm. Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people will formally open the centre at 1pm with one of the centre's users, before presenting certificates to young people who have recently completed a baby sitting course.
Councillor Jenny Hyde, said: "By working collaboratively, the council has managed to combine a number of services for people in Kington under one roof, which is good news for children and their parents. Being on the school site will also make it easier to explore new ways of working to extend the services provided by the school.
"Bringing the centre up to date and improving joint working means that there will be more training opportunities offered to young people, like the baby sitting courses currently being provided by the children's centre and council's youth services."