Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East
Thurrock, recently launched a Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) Cafe at the
Hassenbrook Youth Centre.
ROC Café is a multi-agency
supported youth drop in project which provides healthy diversionary activities
for young people. It also provides a great opportunity for partnership work
between local churches, Police Service, Fire and Rescue, local authority and
other community-based organisations to provide a youth focused project that can
have a significant impact on a community.
Run by volunteers, a range
of activities are available for young people including pool, table tennis,
dance, drama, cleanup projects, classes, guitar tuition, and a variety of
workshops teaching about a variety of social issues.
Mr Metcalfe commented:
“This is a fantastic initiative that will make a real difference to young
people in the community. The ROC Cafe provides a safe, constructive, and above
all fun space for young people to enjoy and in which they can develop new
skills.”
The multi agency approach
means that ROC Cafe’s are uniquely placed to attract funding and also with
input from the Police Service, are well equipped to deal with any challenging
behaviour.
Mr Metcalfe added: “It is
always brilliant to see local services collaborating to bring about real
change. The partnership approach means that ROC Cafe is sustainable and in a
great position to drive down anti-social behaviour and bring new life to youth
services in the local area.”
He finished: “I would like to thank all those who have
come together to make the ROC Cafe possible, and all those who give up their
free time to run the Cafe on a weekly basis. I very much look forward to
supporting the project in the future.”
ROC Cafe’s form part of the work of the charity ROC who
bring together community groups to open up
opportunities for crime and disorder reduction and improved community cohesion.
For further information, please see: http://www.roc.uk.com.
