Reported in the Eastern Daily Press

23rd November 2009

The latest plans for improvements to three Thetford estates have been revealed following a public consultation last month.

Earlier this year, the Benjamin Foundation received £400,000 of government funding with the aim of raising aspirations of young people in Thetford, particularly on the Abbey, Redcastle and Barnham Cross estates.

Following a community panel meeting in October where people living on the estates were invited to air their views, the charity has now revealed its latest plans.

From a safe place for youngsters to "hang out", to exploring online media and from community gardening to training in food hygiene, the Inspiring Communities project will include a range of opportunities.

Operational manager for children and young people at the charity, Sharon Matthews, said the idea was for the entire community to back its young people.

She added: "We had to submit a very detailed bid to in order to secure the fantastic funding, but it's vital that, before we go any further, we have the input of the community itself to ensure we deliver a range of services that people actually want to use."

At the meeting on the Abbey Estate on October 15, people living on all three estates were invited to tell the Benjamin Foundation what they would like to see developed.

The result is a revised business plan which has been submitted to the government, outlining a range of projects.

These include a youth café in the former Redcastle community centre, training opportunities focusing on technology, media, catering and hospitality, and community gardening.

Ms Matthews added: "It was clear from the feedback we got from the people who are likely to use the new facilities that their priority is to have a place where children can meet and have fun in a safe environment.

"Kids in Thetford are not well served; for example the nearest cinema is 15 miles away in Bury St Edmunds and with a large number of parents working shifts and public transport very limited, its hard for them to get there."

The youth café will be open to everyone, but will be designed particularly with 11 to 14-year-olds in mind. A competition was run on the charity's website to come up with a name for the café and from around 30 entries a shortlist of four names was chosen. A panel of young people from Thetford will make the final decision in the next few weeks.

Work is also under way to spruce up the youth café building and the charity would like to hear from businesses which can donate equipment or time.

Training was also high on the list for the community and a plan to create a community radio station was shelved in favour of media training options.

Any businesses which would like to get involved as financial, or practical, sponsors of the Thetford Inspiring Communities project should email sharon.matthews@benjaminfoundation.co.uk.

For more information visit www.benjaminfoundation.co.uk