A NEW modern youth centre in Perth has opened to the public in hopes of creating a place where young people can both learn new skills and find others to talk to.
The Y Centre, which is run by YMCA Tayside, is a three-floor youth centre on Atholl Street, which was once an old church, set to be destroyed.
To aid in its creation, YMCA received input from the youth who it is built for and hopes to benefit up to 2,000 people every year through the support and services it offers.
With its doors open to the public, the Y Centre already provides things like craft workshops, a digital skills hub, a gym and quiet areas.
There is also plans for an outdoor courtyard with a garden area to be opened and barista training from The Bean Shop, a local coffee supplier, is also planned.
With these services, YMCA hopes the centre will create a place where young people have something to do and can develop their confidence and skills.
Jill McGrath, CEO of YMCA Tayside stated: “The Y Centre has been a project that’s been years in the making, so we are thrilled to get to this point where our vision has come to life and the local community can start to reap the rewards of all that it offers.”
Jill added: “Young people have many strengths and have so much to contribute, but sometimes need extra support to find their path in life, so it was crucial to include them in the design and development of the new space.”
“They told us what they wanted to see in the Y Centre, and we listened.“
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve been doing exclusive preview tours with young people, showing them how the space has transformed into all they had envisioned and a place they can call home.”
This extensive project cost £6m to fund and the wider regeneration project was funded with assistance of The Robertson Trust, Perth City Heritage Trust, Perth and Kinross Council and many more.
This project also involved the development of emergency housing, backed by a £300,000 loan from Social Investment Scotland, which involves the provision of seven flats in hopes of helping prevent homelessness.
Chris Jamieson, head of investments at SIS, said: “YMCA Tayside is an incredibly impactful organisation helping young people with work, services, support and more in the local community.
“Our role in helping to fund the development of its new temporary accommodation could be life-changing for the young people making the transition to living independently.”
“The Y Centre is such an impressive to have played a part in and it’s fantastic to see the redeveloped centre now ready for use.”
