Friends ‘Forge’ new youth hub for Dudley
The Forge aims to to get young people off the streets, connecting with others and taking part in activities
A new youth hub in Dudley is hoping to give young people in the town a "much-needed boost" as it officially opens it's doors.
From today (October 17), The Forge, which has been created by local friends Adam Bradley and James Bragg, hopes to provide a safe place for children, teenagers and young adults to meet and take part in activities, including darts lanes, pool tables and a boxing machine.
There will also be a podcast studio to sharpen creative and digital skills, an education room and communal kitchen, where members can learn how to prepare and cook healthy meals.
Adam and James say everything in the hub has been request and chosen by young people themselves.
Located in Churchill Precinct, the initiative will be run by their two community interest companies Headz Up CIC and Strike Youth CIC, to deliver what they said is a "welcome boost for Dudley".
They hope to get kids off the streets, stop them from engaging in antisocial behaviour, improve and protect their mental health and in turn, reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training.
“The Forge is going to put some much needed pride back into the town centre and give youngsters a place where they can meet, make friends, receive mental health support and learn new skills," said Adam.
“Importantly, it is going to put some much-needed pride back into Dudley and show our members that people do care about them and that they can have a positive future.”
He added: “Opening the doors is just the start.
"We still need the local business community and entrepreneurs to get behind us - whether that’s through funding, employee volunteering, using their skills to complete the refurbishment or just spreading the message that we are open and here to help.”
James said: “We are placing the Forge into the heart of Dudley as we want it to be a hub that changes people’s lives for the better.
“It is something that the town has been missing for a very long time and we hope the community will rally around what we are trying to do, so we can start to transform the fortunes of young people in both the short and the long-term.”
Initially, it currently plans to be open 10am to 6.30pm seven days a week, with free sessional activities for its members.
The Forge is also looking to secure more funding and in-kind company support to add new services and activities to its expanding offer in the future.