Youth Cafe pilot in Cheltenham providing a safe space for young people
New initiative aims to tackle youth concerns in town centre
No Child Left Behind is launching a new Youth Cafe pilot programme in Cheltenham, providing young people with a dedicated space to gather safely and enjoy free activities.
Located at Smokey Joe's on Bennington Street in the town centre, the Youth Cafe will open its doors every Thursday afternoon until the 2nd of April 2026.
The pilot is a response to concerns raised during 2025's Year of Youth Action about the lack of affordable spaces for young people to spend their time constructively.
This initiative is a collaboration with The Music Works and is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Problem Solving Fund.
The sessions will take place between 3:30pm and 6:30pm, featuring free activities, food and drink offers, and entertainment such as retro games.
Qualified youth workers from The Rock Cheltenham and Springbank Community Group CiC will manage the sessions.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “I am extremely excited about this youth space project, slap bang in Cheltenham’s town centre, offering the right vibe and access to free activities, food and drink.
“We listened to the voices of young people and thanks to funding and partnership collaboration we have been able to turn this suggestion into a real opportunity.
“I hope the news spreads so lots of young people will benefit.
“The kind owners at Smokey Joes will also have their retro games on free play to enjoy and every person will also receive a voucher to buy their first drink and food item.
“This pilot shows you what is possible when like-minded local partners come together to try to make a real difference for our young people.”
Cheltenham Police's neighbourhood team will assist in ensuring the safety of the venue during the sessions.
Monitoring and evaluation will assess the success of the programme, shaping future provisions for youth in Cheltenham.