Meeting place boost for Harleston youth

Youngsters now have a safe place in Harleston where they can hang out and meet their friends thanks to a local initiative.

A portable building has been provided at the town recreation ground by Harleston-based charity Exchange2, which received just under £5,000 funding towards the costs through a community award from Saffron Housing Trust and the EDP.

“We've been having just occasional activities and we are really going to start if off with a bang at half term,” said spokesman David Lowe.

An open afternoon is being held from 3pm-6pm on Thursday so people can view the building and find out more about the project. Youth nights are held on Thursdays, a youth café will be opening on Saturdays, and an after school computer club with Broadband is also planned.

Exchange2 is a community-run project for young people in Harleston and surrounding villages, and has been granted temporary five year planning consent for the building. During this time, the possibility of having a permanent meeting place in the town for youths can be explored.