The Chairman of Rochford District Council, Councillor Tony Humphries has paid a visit to the hugely successful Great Wakering Teen Café.

The café was opened in June 2008, and last Wednesday (25 November) the Chairman and his wife received a warm welcome from the 60 teens who use it to enjoy activities including indoor and outdoor sports, such as table-tennis and football. In addition there are art and craft activities such as clay modelling and cookery, as well as just being in a safe place to meet with friends and have something to eat or drink.

The café is also an important place for teens to learn about health and safety issues with nurses, the police and other professionals invited as speakers.

The café was set up following comprehensive consultation with young people, the local primary school and the local community, which identified a need for provision for children and young people.

The project has been supported by various partners including; Rochford District Council, Great Wakering Parish Council, Rochford CDRP (Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership), Extended schools, Great Wakering Primary school children’s centre and Vinvolved.

Councillor Humphries spent around a hour at the café speaking both with the teens who use it and the organisers who run it.

He said: “I would like to thank Councillor Barbara Wilkins for inviting my wife and myself to the Teen Café at Great Wakering. I was delighted to receive such a warm welcome by all here and have the pleasure of experiencing the wonderful community spirit and team participation that is so apparent”.

He added: “This is a fantastic initiative for the youngsters of Great Wakering and the surrounding areas and gives them a place to congregate and enjoy the benefits and camaraderie”.

Whilst there, Councillor Humphries also took the opportunity to hand out some certificates to young people. James Liston, Daniel Deadman, Sophie Waghorn, Jenny Deadman, Sam Weir, Emily Harding, Adam Deadman and James Cougborough received awards for volunteering through Vinvolved. Volunteering included running music workshops and supporting the planning group of the Wakering Young Peoples Community project.

Young people who use the café are mainly from Great Wakering but there are also visitors from Rochford, Southend, Potton Island, Shoeburyness, Barling, Hockley and Ashingdon.

The Café is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm.

For further information about Great Wakering Young People’s Community project, of which the Teen Cafe is just one part, please contact Great Wakering Primary School 01702 219435.