Bed store converted into 'incredible' youth centre

A disused bed shop has been converted into a free facility for young people aged between 11 and 16.

The DAY (Devizes Area Youth) Lounge on Sidmouth Street in the Wiltshire town was named in a vote by the town's secondary school pupils, who also helped design it.

Devizes Town Council donated the shop unit rent free and local businesses provided entertainment facilities and furniture.

After two years of collaboration project lead, youth worker Steve Dewar, said when "people come together with the right heart, amazing things happen".

Alfie, aged 12, said the space is "outstanding"

"Its outstanding" said Alfie, aged 12, from Devizes School - adding that he and his friends come straight to the centre after school on a Thursday to play air hockey or on the Playstation and Nintendo Wii.

Before the facility opened Charlie, 16, said he would either go to the local park or go straight home after the school day.

He was part of the group who designed the facility. "From watching how it used to look to how it looks now, its absolutely incredible," he said.

"Its brought everyone together" said Charlie adding he was surprised how "they've [volunteers and local businesses] captured everything" local young people had asked for.

Steve Dewar is a youth worker and the project lead for the DAY centre

Youth worker and project lead Steve Dewar as been working on this facility for two years.

He said: "Its been a collaboration [between] local residents, the town council, churches and the young people themselves. It's taken years but we're here now."

During the development Mr Dewar and the team surveyed hundreds of secondary school pupils to make sure the facility was what young people wanted.

He said young people "are at the heart of the development of the space".

"It's not us doing a youth space for them its their space. For us adults from the community its just being here to support them," he added.

Mr Dewar said his research showed young people wanted "safe places to go" run by "safe people" adding "its a great atmosphere... they can just enjoy the space being teenagers."

Young people want "safe places to go" run by "safe people" said project lead, Steve Dewar

Young people aged 11 to 16 can currently use the facilities for free every Thursday, from 15:00 to 18:00.

An official ribbon cutting will happen on 6 November, after which the centre will open for two days a week.

The future goal is for The DAY Lounge to become a central space for any youth-related activities including art exhibitions and multi-media training.