Attik needs new base (From Free Press Series)

Attik needs new base

MONMOUTH Youth Project is appealing for help to relocate the Attik - the town's popular and highly successful centre for young people.

The Attik was first opened in February 2001 following a successful campaign led by young people to provide the town with a youth caf.

But now it has outgrown in premises on the first floor of Commerce House.

The chairman of the project's board of trustees, Barry Englefield, said: "While our current location provided an excellent opportunity to launch and develop the project, we must continue to place the highest priority on fulfilling the needs of young people in Monmouth."

The entrance to the Attik is through a narrow access and stairway, which is unsuitable for conversion for use by disabled people. And the design of Commence House prevents modification to install a lift or ramps.

A scheme to take over a unit at the Oldway centre has been put forward by the project's management team.

The unit, vacated last year by Grown For You, is seen as an excellent opportunity to consolidate the Attik as the major provider of services to youngsters in the area.

Monmouth MP Huw Edwards, who helped spearhead the original campaign to establish a youth caf, has backed the project's application to relocate the Attik.

The trustees have applied to Monmouthshire County Council for a community enterprise development scheme grant to cover the setting-up costs.

Another trustee, David Siddall, added: "We are confident we can obtain the funding as the Attik has already proved to be such a great success.

"There are a number of grant applications being considered by various organisations to enable us to embark on our planned second phase.