Setting up a youth club/cafe?

[Youth Icko]

Hi, so here's my situation. Im 23 and from Berkshire, I worked as a learning and participation trainee at my local theatre, networking with schools and co led their youth group and art classes. One of the older members ambition was to set up a youth arts cafe which she did when a place became available in town. because she knew i worked well with the kids and i had some good ideas she took me on board as a volunteer after i left that previous job (was temporary). Unfortunately It was poorly run on her part. it was funded by <removed> but because she took on all the financial doings by herself it went belly up and she ended up not paying rent and it ended up closing.

I believe that it was great hangout for the teens that went there and it would have got somewhere if she had more people to help so that we could have provided them with Arts Award sessions to get them qualifications and chances to perform at gigs and shows we put on. I had a lot of good ideas that weren't used. I want to do this as a career even though I know it usually ends up being voluntary work. Unfortunately I dont have a bussiness mind like all you guys on this site, so I'm looking to go into a partnership with someone that does who can help and who i can learn from. Where is a good place to start with what I want to do?

 

[GeorgeStrait]

Hello Youth Icko. Your ideas sound very good and I hope you find someone to go into business with you. These forums are certainly the place to gain business knowledge and make contacts

 

[wicketts]

Hi Youth,

That sounds like a great idea. I know that something like that would certainly work in this area. Giving the kids somewhere like that would be a big boost for them.

Obviously you'll need a web site, so please get in touch

I wish you every success. I think it's a great idea.

Regards


James

 

[GeorgeStrait]

Business lesson number 1 Youth - be aware that you are likely to get tons of offers both on forum and by private message. Be careful who you trust, especially those who pm you.

Deal openly on the forum until you feel you can trust a member. This is not posted to reflect badly on Wicketts, after all he has joined the forum to get business as lots of people do and that is part of what the community is all about.

 

[GetSet for Business]

Why not try contacting a business in your area who could sponsor your ideas. They could provide finance to help start it and also advice on setting up a business. They get good publicity for helping you and you get the support you need. I'm not saying its easy to get this support but worth a try initially if there is a large business trading in your local community. Think about putting a business plan together to present to them. You can also search grant directories online to see if there is any funding available for not for profit businesses (few and far between at the moment but there are funds out there) Good luck with it.

 

[Youth Icko]

haha I'm incredibly cautious, mainly down to being messed around with before. Hopefully I will find a decent, passionate, honest business person who can work on this with me.

 

[Youth Icko]

Why not try contacting a business in your area who could sponsor your ideas. They could provide finance to help start it and also advice on setting up a business. They get good publicity for helping you and you get the support you need. I'm not saying its easy to get this support but worth a try initially if there is a large business trading in your local community. Think about putting a business plan together to present to them. You can also search grant directories online to see if there is any funding available for not for profit businesses (few and far between at the moment but there are funds out there) Good luck with it.

I'm not even sure which business in my area would be able to do that. I first went to tourist info (!) which led to citizens advice which led to business link who havent got back to me... I live in a town with loads of empty shops though thats whats frustrating. I think my main pripority is finding someone to do this with. obviously i can look on this site but locally whats a good way of finding people thatm ight be interested?

 

[GeorgeStrait]

You'd probably get more exposure in the main business forum. After all it is business advice you are seeking. I'm sure a forum moderator will move the thread for you if that's appropriate.

Glad to hear that you have learnt from past mistakes too - it seems to me you have a good head on your shoulders.

 

[Billmccallum]

Lots of responses to this....

Firstly, working with young people is not a business opportunity, its a social action, those who really need this type of venue usually can't afford to pay for it, so it ends up being a not-for-profit enterprise with charitable objectives.

Secondly, contact your local council, they will have specialist community development and youth teams who woould normally be happy to work with local people to get a project up and running (see http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8019).


Thirdly, contact local voluntary groups/charities (see http://www.actionforall.org.uk/VCSAWB/home) who might be working on something which you can help with.

Finally, there are lots of funding organisations who help fund such projects, not least the National Lottery (google Big Lottery Fund).

On a personal note, I helped a West Dorset organisation get a £100K grant for a youth cafe a few years ago, so if you need some guidance, feel free to get in touch.

 

[BobBuilder]

Sounds good, where are you thinking of setting this up?

 

[Youth Icko]

Sounds good, where are you thinking of setting this up?

Newbury