Centre of everything

OPEN for business . . . (from the left) Rabia Begum, Lee Loftus, Oldham Athletic player Kieran Lee, Ryan Sexton, Ajufa Begum, Tim Mitchell (chief executive of Positive Steps Oldham), Piara Khanom and Amileigh Hodges

YOUNG people in need of advice and support can now get them at a one-stop shop thanks to The Centre.

Oldham Athletic footballer Kieran Lee was on hand to help to launch the new facility developed by Positive Steps Oldham and Oldham Council.

Based at Positive Steps Oldham, in Union Street, (formally Connexions), The Centre offers a range of information, advice and guidance services for young people and is the North-West’s first targeted youth support centre.

It has a full-time health team offering advice and treatment on a range of issues, confidential consulting rooms, soundproofed meeting rooms, a therapy room, computers, and a video link to young offender institutions.

Organisations based in The Centre include Connexions, the Youth Offending Service, Aftercare, Oasis, the Youth Service, Off the Record counselling, housing mediation and the primary care trust health team.

Tim Mitchell, chief executive of Positive Steps, said: “It was decided that the best way of providing support to those young people who need it most would be to develop a one-stop shop for services and facilities most accessed or needed all based under one roof.

‘Throughout the development process we have been in constant consultation with young people to ensure the finished article is something they will both need and use.

“As a result of their feedback and suggestions we have installed a kitchen area where they can prepare food, as well as shower facilities, a chill-out area and washing machines.

“This will help provide basic facilities that some young people living chaotic lifestyles will not have access to.”

The Centre is open from 9am to 5pm Mondays and Fridays; 9am to 7pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.