Young people about to start college are being invited with their parents to the special Trend Cafe open days and open evenings.
At these informal events visitors can see the different things that young people have made and see the other facilities on offer, such as free wifi, cheap drinks and snacks. The Newport trend cafe offers young people, over the age of 11, a safe place to go after school or college.
Since opening six months ago some 300 young people have visited the trend Upcycling cafe. Some just want to sit and chat, others do their homework, many want to take part in the Upcycling craft activities. Students from Carisbrooke College created a mural, whilst others have made artistic items to take home or decorate the cafe.
To date over a tonne of waste has been turned into useful and fun things, including hedgehogs made from old damaged paperback books, which have proved to be a hit on twitter!
The cafe’s open days are running 10:00-16:00 on Wednesdays (22nd & 29th July, 19th & 26th August). Open evenings are being held between 18:00-20:00 on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th August.
The trend youth cafe can be found 30 High Street, Newport (opposite Guildhall) and is open every weekday during term time from 15:30-18:00.
You can find out more about the project at https://footprint-trust.co.uk/trend.html or call 01983 716766.
The Footprint Trust has been awarded funding by the Isle of Wight Council’s Youth Offer, over a three-year period, to run the trend project. The Trust was set up in 2002 to reduce the ‘ecological footprint’ of the Isle of Wight, and achieves this by running practical projects, that help people and the local environment. The charity was recently was given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary service due to its service to the Isle of Wight community.
