This Is Guernsey

By Jess Stevenson

With plans for the new youth facilities are Adrian Windsor-Smith and Dominic Coquelin of Dee-Caf, service user James Savident with five-week-old Aimee Le Sauvage, Dee-Caf manager Kim Pattimore and another service user, Vikki Le Sauvage, with Ruby Purvis, 4. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0802495)

WORK is about to start on a Town youth house in Upper Mansell Street.

The former Caves de Bordeaux pub was bought by Guernsey Youth more than a year ago but it has taken the charity longer than expected to get plans drawn up.

Directors Wayne Bulpitt and Alun Williams have obtained sponsorship to get the work started but are awaiting final tenders to see how much more money they need to raise.

They are also awaiting approval from building control for work to start inside.

The pair aim to turn the ground floor into a cafe, which will be run as a commercial entity by youngsters under the guidance of a full-time manager.

The third floor, currently a derelict flat, will be turned into offices where different agencies can work with at-risk children to provide specialist help.

Dee-Caf, which will move from its current premises in the Bordage, will occupy the middle floor.

‘It’s a real opportunity for young people.

‘We are going to involve them completely in the move so that they can get involved and have a sense of ownership [of the building],’ said Mr Williams.

He added that the youngsters could also help to renovate the back garden.

‘It could grow produce [for the cafe] which would be great because we could get them eating really healthy food,’ he said.

Dee-Caf project manager Kim Pattimore said she was looking forward to the move.

‘We’re really excited to have something new and it will be nice to start all over again with new kids. We’re usually the first port of call for other agencies working with youngsters.

‘I think we will get more kids down here because of where it is – they keep wanting to know when we’re moving,’ she said.

Former Dee-Caf user and current volunteer Dominic Coquelin said the centre would be very important.

‘Kids get a lot of bad press and instead of being pushed into a corner, they can be themselves and will be free to talk without being criticised or judged.

‘Dee-Caf is training to become an adult. It empowers you,’ he said.

Dee-Caf staff member Adrian Windsor-Smith agreed it was a positive step forward.

‘It will be a new challenge with new members. There are groups of young people everywhere and they need somewhere to go.

‘This space will bring them off the street and will keep them out of trouble by giving them something positive to do.’

Mr Williams added that Guernsey Youth was aware it had to be considerate towards all the new centre’s neighbours.

Article posted on 9th July, 2009 - 2.29pm