Organisers of Burnham-On-Sea’s youth cafe have this week issued an urgent appeal for more volunteers to come forward to help run the popular facility, which currently is threatened with closure over the summer period.

More adults are needed to help run the Burnham Area Youth Centre’s cafe in Cassis Close on Friday and Saturday evenings, which have become so popular that existing volunteers staff are struggling to cope.

The cafe opened its doors for the first time in March and serves refreshments and offers free Internet access, games consoles, a pool table and other entertainment.

Noreen Beckinsale, secretary of the BAY Centre’s Local Action Team, told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday (July 6th): “The cafe has become a great success and we have up to 100 children visiting us on some weekend evenings.”

“However, regular volunteers are few and far between and we urgently need them to come forward and help on Friday and Saturday nights.”

“We sometimes have up to 100 children visiting us on those evenings and need 8-10 staff to safely oversee them.”

“We’re providing a service for the community that keeps young people off the streets and we need the community’s help in keeping it running.”

“At the moment, we are expecting to close until September unless new helpers come forward.”

“It can be extremely rewarding to work with the youngsters and provide them with a facility that they really appreciate.”

The free cafe is aimed at 11-17 year-olds and is open four days a week. Opening times are for school years 7, 8 and 9 on Mondays from 3.30pm-5.30pm and Tuesdays 3.30pm-6.30pm. The cafe is also open for school years 10, 11 and the 6th Form on Fridays from 8-10pm and Saturdays from 6-10pm. To volunteer, call Noreen on 07837 737344 or email her here.

Pictured top are the cafe’s organisers, Local Action Team Chairman Keith Beckinsale and his wife Noreen, who are appealing for more volunteers

 
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