Description: Our purpose is to work for the benefit of the young people of Hawick and district, by linking with the local authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants to advance education and provide facilities for recreation and leisure time.
After local flooding in October 2005, Escape reopened on 24th June 2006 to existing and new members with the introduction of two new PCs and an altered kitchen area. Funding was secured through the Community Grant Scheme to enable the project to improve its kitchen facilities so that a wider range of products could be offered to members and healthier eating promoted.
Throughout the year young people have participated in a number of activities including various theme nights, a trip to M and D’s theme park, film making, and participating in the Christmas Parade. Members of Escape have also attended events such as Live and Listening which showcased young peoples’ achievements throughout the Borders and the VOMO Film Festival. Funding from Children In Need has enabled us to increase the part time youth workers’ hours and employ two additional session workers to support the project. Staff and volunteers have continued to develop their training through attendance at child protection sessions, first aid, YMCA Introduction to Community Education, conflict resolution, elementary food hygiene and Young Scot website training.
We promote ownership of the project by encouraging young people to have a voice and be involved in decision making, from opening times to activities offered, fund-raising events and interior renovations and improvements. In February 2007, members of the café painted the premises during the school break. This gave the café a welcoming new look and we would like to thank all the young people who volunteered their time to assist with the painting and Ferguson and Aitken for supplying the paint and equipment.
Other community groups are currently able to utilise the premises when sessions are not being offered to young people. Youth Chex, Young Carers and Apex have taken up this opportunity and we hope more groups will take advantage of this in the near future.
We hope that over the next year the café will continue to benefit young people in the community by providing them with a safe and fun place to be and continue to work in partnership with local statutory and voluntary organisations to provide an essential service for young people in the Hawick area.
Furthermore, Trustees are hoping to set up a Fund-raising Committee involving staff, parents, young people and members of the community. This is to demonstrate a commitment to organising fundraising activities and to enhance the profile of the project within the local community. |
