Pudsey to the rescue — Youth Café secures funding for three years

Orkney Youth Café staff and users are delighted to announce that they have successfully secured funding which will keep the Café open for the next three years.
£108,000 has been awarded from Children in Need, and will fund staff, activity and running costs.
Lynn Bartlett, youth development worker and Malcolm Graves, board director submitted the application, and both are delighted by the news.
They would like to thank the charities, businesses and individuals who have helped in different ways.
“Orkney Youth Café would like to thank everyone for their support locally — without it would have been an end to the essential service,” they said.
“Since February, when the Youth Café saw its regular funding not being re-commissioned, staff, volunteers and young people have worked hard to raise money.
“The Youth Café provides an important service for young people aged 12-21 where they can hang out, take part in activities and get sign posted to other support services. On the busiest day 69 young people were in the facility through the course of a day. Young people want somewhere safe, relaxed and fun to go to.”
Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur has been a vocal supporter of the campaign to keep the Youth Café open.
He said: “I am delighted that the Orkney Youth Café has secured this vital funding.
“I am also grateful to BBC Children in Need for the positive way in which they have engaged in discussions, not just about the Youth Café’s application, but also ways in which other local projects and groups might maximise their chances of accessing funding in future.
“In the Year of Young People, it would have been a travesty had the Orkney Youth Café been forced to close its doors. Thanks to Pudsey Bear, however, and the tireless efforts of the staff, volunteers and young people involved with the Youth Café, that threat has now been lifted.”