A new cafe aimed at helping young people take their next steps into employment, education and training has launched in Warrington town centre.
The Vibe Cafe is designed to support young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), providing a welcoming place to meet other young people, connect with local employers and explore educational opportunities.
Carl Oates, from Platform Data Centres, attended the launch alongside Sharon Jenkins and Louise Berry from Warrington Borough Council.
Carl said: “Vibe Cafe is aimed at supporting ‘NEETs’ across Warrington.
“People aged 16-24 who might be struggling to find work or integrate into society can go to Vibe Cafe, meet other young people; meet local employers and meet local educational providers.
“I’m delighted that Platform can support the launch of the Vibe Cafe and we’ll be employing young, local people ourselves next year.”
The initiative aims to provide a link between young people who may be struggling to find their direction and the organisations, employers and education providers that can help them move forward.
By creating an informal environment where young people can make connections and explore opportunities, the cafe hopes to help overcome some of the barriers they face when trying to access work, training or further education.
Platform Data Centres is involved in the development and operation of data centre infrastructure, supporting the digital services and technology that businesses and organisations rely on.
Its support for the Vibe Cafe reflects a wider opportunity for businesses investing in the area to engage with the local community and help create pathways into employment.
The Vibe Cafe also fits with the wider aim of helping people improve their wellbeing, confidence and independence through community-based support.
Warrington’s Living Well approach includes connecting people with advice, activities and services that can help them manage challenges and improve their quality of life. Community hubs and similar initiatives can provide accessible points of contact, helping people find the right support before difficulties become more entrenched.
For young people who feel isolated or uncertain about their future, having somewhere welcoming to go and opportunities to meet peers and professionals could be an important first step.
The launch brings together business and local authority support around a shared objective: helping more young people in Warrington access opportunities and build a positive future.
The Living Well Hub, at Horsemarket Street, also brings together NHS, council and voluntary-sector services, offering health and wellbeing advice, mental health support and help for families and carers.
