New youth centre, Atmosphere, opens in Pickering's former Court House (From Gazette & Herald)

New youth centre, Atmosphere, opens in Pickering's former Court House

2:55pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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PICKERING’s former Court House has been given an exciting new role – as a centre for the market town’s young people.

Now named Atmosphere, the centre was officially opened by North Yorkshire County Council’s director of education and children’s services, Cynthia Welbourn, who said it was a pioneering and far-sighted venture which would benefit many of Ryedale’s younger generation.

The bench where magistrates sat in judgement has now been transformed into a stage for young musicians, while retiring rooms and secondary court rooms have been given a new look to cater for Pickering’s youth.

David Fincham, the manager of Atmosphere and a senior youth worker, said: “It is much more than a youth centre – it is a multi-agency centre where young people can get a wide range of advice and help.”

It has been created in a partnership involving the county council and such organisations as the YMCA, Connexions, Ryedale Counselling, the Cabridge Centre, North Yorkshire Youth Volunteers, and Foundation Housing.

“We have encouraged various agencies and organisations to come together to give integrated support to the young people of Pickering and it’s already proving an enormous success,” David said.

Catering for young people between 13 and 19, the staff and volunteers are playing a key part in helping to guide and influence young people.

“The courtroom itself is proving a natural performance area, while the various other rooms are giving young people facilities to do their homework on computers, to receive counselling and advice on such things as sexual health and taking them on to the next steps in their lives,” David said.

In addition, said David, they are being given opportunities to develop specialist skills. “It’s had a brilliant response from the young people. It is somewhere the young people want to come and are certainly doing so.”

Each week, some 80 young people use the centre and there are now 150 on the books at Atmosphere.

Currently open five days a week, he said it was hoped to find funding to open it on a Friday night and a Saturday afternoon in the future.

“We are providing positive activities which young people can connect with. They are building relationships with each other and at the same we are helping them in personal and social development,” said David.

An added bonus has been the great response the centre has had from neighbours in Malton Road.

“They have been so supportive, with many of them giving us equipment. We are really grateful for the help Atmosphere has had, and it’s benefiting many young people,” David said

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