Youth drop-in centre ‘desperate’ for funds in face of closure

A YMCA  drop-in centre in Frome needs to raise tens of thousands of pounds to survive after its funding is due to run out in March.

Routes, a youth centre on Palmer Street, faces closure after over 12 years in the town when the YMCA stops funding it in two months’ time.

The centre is appealing to local people to help it raise the money to stay open – a cost of around £83,000 a year, according to project manager Sarah Stobbart.

“We see over 500 young people a year here and there’s nothing else like it in Somerset. If Routes closes there won’t be an alternative,” Sarah told Frome Times.

The YMCA funded the centre until 2015 and it has run on the charity’s reserves since then. Now, there is no money behind the centre and it must raise its own running costs if it is to continue.

Manager Sarah continued, “It’s a pretty desperate situation. We need to raise about £83,000 a year, ideally more, to keep going and we’re essentially starting from zero. We have applied for funding and grants but we won’t hear back for a while. We’re hoping some local people or businesses might  be able to help us out.”

To donate to the Save Routes Appeal go to www.mendipymca.org.uk or you can donate £10 by mobile by texting MEND41 £10 to 70070.

Sarah added, “Many of the young people who come here are vulnerable and have problems with homelessness, mental health, offending, or have social problems. This is a safe space for them, and a source of security that they might not have without us.

“We offer practical support to all young people regardless of their situation. Everyone is welcome.

“There is a cafe here with computer access, and we store food for Fair Frome’s food bank. Routes refers the most people to the food bank of anywhere in the town. We do a lot of outreach work from here and there are two full-time staff.

“It’s an important base and I think its loss would really be felt if we had to close.”