Young people say Swindon needs ‘more’ places like The Base
The new youth centre is located in Park North
Young people in Swindon say the new youth centre will be a “crucial” place for them to make new friends.
The Base, formerly known as the Lyndhurst Centre, officially opened its doors yesterday (26 March).
The project has been led by young locals from Swindon’s three leading youth charities, SMASH, STEP and WAY, from the start and Swindon Borough Council has invested £3.8m into the centre’s revamp.
Rylee, one of the young people who has been working on The Base since for months, said: “Ever since quarantine, people have been staying inside a lot more and shutting themselves in.
“And that can be really detrimental, not getting out or meeting new people, so having a space that is specifically for meeting new people and getting involved socially is going to be really helpful and really crucial”.
The Base is the first youth centre to open in the town in years and cuts the budget have resulted in closures of existing facilities in recent years.
All the ideas for its facilities came from the young people.
It now features a recording studio, a music studio, a hairdressing and make-up room as well as a kitchen, gym area, basketball court and multiple sitting areas with board games.
13-year-old Naomi said: “We had the floorplan and have been able to decide what we want in these rooms and design the floor layout which has been very fun. Me and someone else at WAY decided to have a multi-faith prayer room and it’s been very nice to see that come to life.
“It feels so surreal because the last time I was here it was just wood and plaster but now seeing it all decked out is just beautiful”.
She also thinks that young people in Swindon will benefit from having a place to come together without any costs attached.
“Lots of places everywhere are too expensive and here is just a place where you can just chill and be yourself without having to pay anything.
“I do think we need more of these. This is the first one that I’ve seen in a while and it’s just a lovely place to be yourself”.
The youth centre is open every day from 8am to 10pm.
It welcomes all children and teenagers from 11 to 16 years old, with the age limit stretching to 25 for those with disabilities.
The age limit stretches to 25 for young people with disabilities as being an inclusive space was a priority for everyone involved.
“We wanted to make it a space where everyone can come to, no matter their background, their identity or any disabilities. We want this to be a space for everyone to feel safe to be able to engage and it’s great because we don’t have a lot of places like that”, explained Rylee.
Councillor Paul Dixon, cabinet member for children’s social care, added: “It would be great to build on this. We’re working with the charities that are going to be running from the centre here and with the community, so there’s real possibilities for the future”.