New 'safe zone' for young people launched at Drapery McDonald's

A new youth 'safe zone' will open at McDonald's in the Drapery in a bid to give more support to young people.

But while support for the scheme overall has been given, concerns have been raised at the choice of venue - the same venue which was taped off by police in October after a stabbing, which saw diners flee out of the hamburger restaurant.

The idea - set up by Northampton Borough Council - will see 'Free 2 Talk CIC' youth workers provide 'tailored support packages' to youngsters and their families to better support their wellbeing and development in McDonald's private dining area.

Northampton opposition leader, Danielle Stone, said creating safe spaces for young people in the town centre is the right thing to do but it could be hosted in a better environment.

"The times this space is being made available is outside of the time when there are incidences that make young people vulnerable.

"I am generally uneasy about commercial outlets being used as a centre for youth work as it could look like an endorsement of a commercial business.

"It underlines the need for us to have a proper all-singing-all-dancing youth centre for the town. What we have now is piecemeal development.

"This is better than what we had before but we could do better. I want the borough [council] to buy Debenhams and turn it into a youth centre."

Neighbouring Debenhams is winding down its Northampton store in Drapery following the collapse of a deal to buy the 242-year-old retailer.

Councillor Anna King, Cabinet member for community engagement and safety said: “Loneliness can do serious and lasting harm to young people’s physical, mental health and wellbeing.

"This 'Youth Safe Zone' offers a safe place to meet other people and share your concerns. The Free 2 Talk youth workers will provide a number of targeted provisions and additional support to those who need it.”

Development manager of Springs Family Centre, Clive Ireson, runs a family centre in Spring Boroughs, which supports a large number of Somalian children with finding jobs, applying to university and giving them a creative output.

He said he backs the scheme but the town's youngsters deserve better with an all-under-one-roof dedicated centre similar to Salmon Youth Centre, in Bermondsey, London.

He said: "A major town centre facility would provide an opportunity for young people to have their own space in town - all youth providers could work together and showcase their work.

"It would not replace all the other great youth work across the town but would enable the young people of Northampton to have the world class facilities that they deserve in the centre of town to use, in addition to their local facilities.

"It would be a safe place in town to go that would encourage them to live healthy and feel happy, a place to work on their dreams and therefore improving their prospects in education and work, a place that would encourage them to get involved in their communities thus breaking down generational barriers."

The support sessions at McDonald's will be either be for one-to-one support or small groups of no more than 15 people between Monday to Friday between 3.30pm and 5.30pm, by appointment only.

Genna Whitlock, director, youth and community worker at Free 2 Talk CIC, said: “As part of this new approach, we will be providing bookable mentoring appointments for young people and small support groups. These will be provided to any young person facing challenges or seeking to make changes for themselves or their community.”

To make an appointment young people are encouraged to send a direct message to @Free2talkCIC on Instagram or Facebook.