Information on Loughborough

Ashby Road Internet Cafe

Posted on 19/09/2007
Loughborough Newsdesk

internet cafeWe reported a couple of months ago on inLoughborough on a great scheme in Loughborough aimed at giving kids aged between the age of 8 and 17 something to do on the Ashby Road estate.

Now, with the assistance of AstraZeneca the internet cafe known as The Hut on old Ashby Road, has 7 additional computers which young people can use. Talking about the donation from the Staff Donations and Sponsorship Group of AstraZeneca Steve Parking said: "We have identified youth development in our local community as an area to support and were delighted to help this scheme." .

The internet cafe was the brain wave of PC Keeley Mansell who wanted to find something which would give young people in the area would find interesting and a place to go rather than potentially getting into trouble by hanging around the streets, offending and becoming involved in antisocial behaviour. .

Originally intended to run just on a Tuesday evening during school term the scheme has proved to be so popular that it has been extended to include Friday evenings as well. During the holidays the scheme ran 3 times a week. Typically the project is used by 21 people at each session. Another measure of the success of this Loughborough community project is that the scheme now has a Project Manager, Sandie Gough. Originally set up just as an internet cafe the project has expanded to include other activities such as sport, dance and arts and crafts. All of which help to increase team skills, confidence and self-achievement.

Sandie said: "As well as the internet café, we are now able to offer young people in the Ashby Road area a range of activities and that has proved very popular indeed. The Judo club on a Friday night is a great success as is the football coaching. Weve also done art and craft sessions such as mask making and weve run fun healthy eating and lifestyle workshops with the kids." .