Children's services
A new youth hub – complete with games consoles, pool table and chill out space – is now open in Walsall town centre
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A new youth hub in Walsall town centre opened its doors last week.
Named by young people, ‘Our Place’, offers a safe environment for people aged 11-19 to chill out, have fun, and connect with each other if they are travelling through the town centre.
Located in the former Clive Marks school uniform shop in the Saddlers Shopping Centre, Our Place will be staffed by the council’s skilled and experienced youth workers, and will work alongside other youth organisations in Walsall in efforts to make the town centre a youth-friendly environment.
The hub will open on weekdays between 3.30-6.30pm, and is home to free Wi-Fi, gaming consoles, crafting and games, table football, a pool table and a chill out space.
The hub was officially opened on Monday 30 June by Councillor Adam Hicken, Portfolio Holder for Enforcement and Safe Communities at Walsall Council.
“ We’re really proud to be launching Our Place for young people in Walsall town centre. The new facility is an active step forward in the council’s 2040 commitment to young people, aiming to help them feel safe in all spaces.
The entire hub has been designed and fitted out through meaningful consultation with a group of young people. This includes the name, the designs and what it offers.
The launch event was a great opportunity to get professionals who work with young people to come along, see what it’s about, so they can help spread the word! “
The Saddlers shopping centre unit is a temporary location which will remain in place until the end of the year, and following that, will move to a permanent premises so it is unaffected by wider regeneration works.
Our Place is free to enter, offers snacks and refreshments, and young people will have to sign in on entry.
Our Place is funded by UK government and is one of fifteen projects planned for Walsall following a successful, £20 million funding bid aimed to regenerate the local area.
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