News

SYCafe space to hire

If you need a space to use for a small group or meeting why not consider using the Sorrel Youth Cafe. The Cafe has disabled access and use of a kitchen. It is available in the mornings and early afternoon. This could be the ideal venue for you. If you are interested please contact Leslie Strange on 0116 2106379 or E-mail Leslie@sycafe.org.

Christmas Meal For the People of Mountsorrel

Festive cheer was on the menu for a group of elderly people who were given a free Christmas meal – thanks to young volunteers.

Twenty pensioners were the guests of honour when members of Sorrel Youth Cafe, in Mountsorrel, dished up turkey with all the trimmings on Saturday.

Among the volunteers was Alannah Carter, 12, who peeled potatoes for the first time in her life to help prepare the meal.

She said: "It's the first time I have ever done stuff like this and it was fun.

"I also washed up and helped set the tables.

"The old people enjoyed themselves and it was great to be involved."

Fellow vegetable peeler Martin Ryan said he enjoyed meeting the older residents of the village.

The 15-year-old, who has been going to the cafe since it opened two years ago, said: "I got to prepare carrots and potatoes and learned a lot.

"I also got to serve the food and wash the dishes."

Sorrel Youth Cafe is run by residents of Mountsorrel, who set it up because they felt the young people of the village needed somewhere to go.

The meal was the idea of the young people who attend the cafe, which provides 16 hours of youth work per week thanks to two paid youth workers plus volunteers.

Leslie Strange, a volunteer at the cafe, said: "All the young people here made the day such a success. They did almost everything and even made the Christmas puddings. We have been preparing for five weeks and it all went very well."

Christmas Fair

The Sorrel youth cafe are having a Christmas Fair this saturday 11.00 am till 2 pm. There will be tombola, lucky dip, books, white elephant stall and refreshmets. Come and join us. If you can help in any way please contact Leslie. See you there.....

Awards Evening

A awards evening was held on 6th July at the Cafe where a number of the young people gained Certificates for the courses that were undertaken at half term.

Awards were for Hygene, First Aid, Youth work

Half Term Activities

See whats planned...

Volunteer Day

Sorrel Youth Cafe Volunteer Open Day – Saturday 30th October

Over the past few months Sorrel Youth Cafe has taken considerable steps forward in setting up a safe space for the young people of Mountsorrel to drop in outside of school hours. In September a full time youth worker was appointed, and since then the refurbishment has begun, and the cafe has started to open more regularly. In the near future Sorrel Youth Cafe aims to be open four afternoons and evenings per week, and is currently in the process of recruiting volunteers in order to make this possible.

On October 30th 2010 the youth cafe had a Volunteer Open Day which invited people to get a taste of the work it hopes to achieve. The day started at 10am, and was open for people to drop in and have a drink and a chat with those involved in the project. During the morning a number of people dropped in, and had a look at the venue, and the volunteering opportunities it has to offer. At 11am there was a session specifically aimed at the young people who use the cafe, giving them a chance to decorate fairy cakes. The young people greatly enjoyed the cake decorating, and it also provided an ideal opportunity for any potential volunteers to see the diverse work the cafe hopes to achieve with the young people.

Over the lunchtime period the young people hung around, chatting to the volunteers in the cafe, and enjoying the drinks and cakes provided by supporters of Sorrel Youth Cafe. A number of people stopped and looked into the cafe and were happy to see it in use.

During the afternoon the young people got the chance to make smoothies out of fruit and yogurt, and had a great time preparing the fruit and making their own fruity drinks. Throughout the day over 20 young people attended, and many positive conversations were had with them, which included getting feedback on the recent designs for the refurbishment of the cafe.

Throughout the day a number of people registered their interest in helping at the cafe, and getting involved with some of the general DIY and painting. Some of those who showed interest have now made a regular commitment to helping at Sorrel Youth Cafe once or twice a week. As a result of those signing up for volunteering on this day, and at the Autumn Fair on the 13th November the youth cafe is now able to open for three sessions on a weekly basis.

Volunteer Open Day - Can you help?

Do you have any spare time you could donate to the Sorrel Youth Cafe? Whatever your skills, we could put them to good use!We need help with DIY, decorating, fundraising, working with young people and operating the cafe.On 30th October we are holding a Volunteer Open Day for people interested in helping out at Sorrel Youth Cafe. The Youth Cafe will be open between 10:30am and 4:00pm. If you fancy helping out, then why not drop in for a chat and a coffee?

September Newsletter

SYC Open Day

The Open Day was a great success with many village folk coming into the cafe to have a look around. There were many approving comments with some folk offering to volunteer to help run the cafe when it's open. The committee are hugely encouraged. The tea and cake stall was particularly busy - thanks Val and Alex....

We still need more people to volunteer their time and we still need financial donations. If you think you could help in any way contact us via the contact tab on the left.

Photos from the Graffiti Workshop

A Big Thank You to the Committee

We should say a big thank you to all of the committee who have put so much time and effort into getting this project off the ground. Thanks everyone - you know who you are.....

Detached Youth Workers move on

Sadly we have to say goodbye to Sam and Mindy (at least for the time being) They are the detached youth workers who have been helping us for a month. They have been talking with young people on the streets telling them about the project and getting their ideas. With the young people they have made a bid for funding from the Youth Bank. They set up and ran the graffiti workshop. We would like to send a big thank you to them. Thanks Sam and Mindy you did a great job. Hopefully we will work together again sometime.

Graffiti Workshop Update

The graffiti workshop was a great success 35 young people enjoyed the workshop, some coming all 4 days. The cafe now has a wonderful piece of art work to decorate the wall. Some photos of the artwork will follow....

SYC on Facebook

SYC moves into the 21st Century. See “Facebook” for the social network place to be. Click the link below to join in.....

http://www.facebook.com/sorrelyouthcafe