Escape Youth Cafe

Last year saw the onset of the streetwork programme thanks to funding from Scottish Borders Council Local Action Fund. Workers take to the streetsbetween April and October to offer support to young people locating around the town and provide information on current youth services. 

Streetwork aims to work with young people on the streets on Friday and Saturday evenings, meeting the young people where they are and at times that suit them.  The project also hopes to meet the needs of young people who may not be attending current services by offering support, information, advice and opportunities to young people on the streets.  This year we hope to develop the project further by offering more activities ‘on the streets’ for young people not accessing existing provisions, particularly over the Summer months.

The Streetworkers are easily recognisable when out on sessions with blue hoodies, navy jackets and photo ID.  Using the youth cafe as a base for sessions, 2 workers per night will be out on varying shifts between 7 and 11pm.  The identified ‘hotspots’ are built into workers routes with regular visits to areas such as the all weather facility at Burnfoot which proves popular with the young residents.  Information is also fed back into the ongoing work in the local youth provisions to assist with developing new ideas and activities.