Thame Youth Café is primarily run and supported by volunteers. These individuals, from all walks of life, give up their time to hang out with the young people, feed them, play games with them, entertain them and create a safe, welcoming, non-judgmental environment. Oversight is provided by a committee under the umbrella charity – Thame Youth Projects Group. Both cafés are managed by Nick Francis, youth pastor at Barley Hill Church.
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An entry for the mindguide
Synolos works with the following people:
• Those with learning difficulties and autism
• Those who are NEET (Not in Education, Training or Employment)
• Those with low or no qualifications
• Struggling at school in years 7-11
• Those who are young and unemployed
• Dealing with mental health issues
• Long-term unemployed, aged 24 – 50+
• On long-term sick leave, who are seeking to get closer to employment.
Sylva Foundation is an environmental charity helping trees and people grow together. They work across Britain and are active under four main programmes: science, education, forestry and wood.
The Sweatbox is a community youth centre for 11 – 18 year olds. Their venue consists of an American style diner space with a pool table, table football and a coffee bar selling snacks and drinks. Adjoining the coffee bar is a stage room featuring a sophisticated lighting and sound system and a wide range of musical instruments, backline equipment and DJ technology. The stage room is used for live bands and Friday night Karaoke.
During Open Access sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays Sweatbox puts on a range of activities such as Bouncy Castle, Gladiator Joust, Beanbag Cinema, Nintendo Switch gaming, Sumo Wrestling, Go Karts, and Portable Skate Ramps amongst other things.
Standlake Youth Club offers lots of activities, including sports, art and crafts, swimming, ice-skating, water sports. Club activities include air hockey, games, quizzes, fundraising events, TUCK SHOP and lots more.
For further information and to arrange a visit please call.
The South Oxford Adventure Playground (SOAP) is a charity run by volunteers and play workers. It is free and open to everyone. SOAP is a place where children can play freely, meet new friends and have fun in a natural and physically challenging environment. It offers an indoor and outdoor space where children can express themselves creatively and test themselves physically. There is not a screen in sight! The outside space has a wooden fort, tower to climb, zip wire, football pitch, wobbly bridge, tyre and rope swings, slides, den making area, fire pit, and trees to climb. Come along and discover the fun of SOAP!
SOAP aims to provide inclusive, exciting and adventurous play for children aged 7 and over, within a supervised playground. All children are welcome. Those under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Play workers are onsite after school and through the holidays to support and encourage children in their play.
SeeSaw provides grief support for children, young people and their families in Oxfordshire. Through appropriate and timely support, SeeSaw can help to reduce the emotional, psychological and mental health consequences of bereavement. Young people are then able to face the future with hope.
SAFE! works with young people who have been harmed by crime and bullying. SAFE! provides individually tailored support to help young people cope without responding physically or internalising their feelings; develop strategies to report incidents; and realise it is not their fault if they have been hurt. SAFE! uses protective behaviours and restorative approaches to aid recovery. Without timely support their experience can lead to further problems including absence from school or work.
South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance (SOFEA) work with young people to build their employability, whilst providing nutritious food for those in need. Programmes for young people to build up skills in a safe judgement free zone. SOFEA alleviates multiple social problems: the need for jobs and training for disadvantaged young people; the demand for nutritious food for vulnerable people; and the danger of supplies from the food industry going to waste.
SOFEA’S TRAINEES
Many young people who find their way to SOFEA have been affected by circumstances which have left them at a disadvantage. Aged 14-24, their common issues include:
- Physical and/or mental illness
- Learning disabilities and special needs
- Family breakdown and associated emotional fallout
- Experience of the care system
- Bereavement / general disengagement/ disillusionment
- Involvement with the criminal justice system
- Issues with drugs and alcohol
- Lack of support / lack of role models
Rose Hill Junior Youth Club is a responsive children’s charity supporting children, young people and families in and around Rose Hill in Oxford. They support children aged between 5-17 years old through free after-school youth clubs, holiday activity provision and a tailored one-to-one mentoring service. They also support families with weekly boxes of surplus food to support those who need additional help.