East Lothian Courier | News | Recharge powering ahead

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 14th August, 2008 08:10

Recharge powering ahead

YOUTH workers at Tranent’s Recharge centre breathed a sigh of relief this week, at news that the popular facility has been awarded nearly £100,000 in vital grant aid.

The Church Street centre has received a three-year grant, totalling £99,856 from BBC’s Children in Need, enabling it to maintain a full-time ‘drop-in co-ordinator’ for the next three years.

The massive cash injection will also ensure that the three ‘core nights’ when services are available to local youngsters – every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – will continue.

Project manager Alan Bell told the Courier: “This is great news.

“Basically this grant will be used to ensure that my position, which will now be known as ‘drop-in co-ordinator’ is secure for the next three years, whether it is myself or someone else in the job.

“This also means that we have someone here to manage the facility and oversee any future funding bids as well.”

The Courier reported last month that Recharge faced a dramatic reduction in its opening hours, with Big Lottery Funding due to run out at the end of August.

The news that the bid for CIN funding – applied for in March – has been successful, has boosted the confidence of staff and volunteers who regularly offer local teenagers fun activities such as games, outings and internet access.

“This gives us stability and breathing space for the next three years,” said Mr Bell.

“Everyone at Recharge has been given a huge lift with this news and it also means that we’ll be able to explore the possibility of expanding the number of nights we’re open.”

The recent windfall also included an £11,000 subsidy from the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities scheme.

Alan urged youngsters, particularly those who will be starting their first year at Ross High School when schools resume on Monday after the summer break, to take advantage of Recharge, which welcomes between 30 and 60 local teenagers to each drop-in session/youth cafe night.

Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council chairman Raymond Strang welcomed the news and said: “We’ve always been committed to our Recharge facility and are delighted that there’s been guaranteed funding, to allow this invaluable service to continue.”

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