We’ve come a long way since 2001

When the doors opened in 2001 the aim was that Red Café should be a great venue for young people in Mumbles. But we soon discovered that we would reach far beyond the immediate locality and we have ended up attracting people from many other parts of the city too, people of all ages and backgrounds. Red Café has become a truly inclusive community project.

The end of the beginning

Opening the doors of Red Café to young people for the first time in January 2001 was in many ways the end of our beginning rather then our first step.

The story began a few years earlier and grew from an idea to reality through a lot of prayer and hard work by many people. In 1998 a group of around 15 young people aged 14 – 25 committed themselves to establishing a venue for young people in Mumbles. During the previous years the group had put on a number of youth events in all sorts of venues in and around Mumbles. These were incredibly popular under 18 events where bands and DJs performed and young people were able to hang out together. But the need for a regular venue was obvious.

Research, consultation and hard work

The results of a period of community consultation confirmed that a permanent place for young people was needed. We looked at rental premises in the area without success, as a group of young people were not a landlord’s ideal tenants! Buying a building became our only ‘realistic’ option.

The summer of 1998 was a time of frenetic fundraising activity. We set ourselves the target of raising £5,000. Fundraising activities included making breakfast for Linden Church, washing cars, phoning and visiting local businesses asking for sponsorship and a sponsored walk up Britain’s highest three peaks; Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike & Snowdon. (In constant rain over the August bank holiday.)

We succeeded in raising the money and began looking for buildings to buy. In autumn 1999 we saw that the Osprey, a former guesthouse, was up for sale. We put in an offer and people from Linden Church backed the vision enough to provide the deposit needed. We applied to the Tudor Trust for a grant to pay for the necessary building work. Having visited and heard what we had in mind, they offered us more than we’d asked for. Shortly after we opened for business in 2001the neighbouring building came up for sale. This was an opportunity too good to miss, so with the help of a generous mortgage provider and the continuing backing of the church community, we bought that too. It took many months and several funding applications before we were eventually able to convert it and expand the café. The Welsh Assembly Government, European Funding and the City and County of Swansea were all significant supporters and helped things get going.

Thousands of hours of free activities

Many thousands of hours of free activities for thousands of people and we’re still going! We’re looking forward to celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2011!

The range of activities we have been able to offer has been incredibly rich – from break dancing, graffiti art and green woodwork to street hockey, fitness sessions and music production. Activities, workshops and taster sessions continue to be the order of the day at Red Café. And this has only been possible with the help and support of a fantastic army of volunteers. Some have spent a few years with us whilst others just a few weeks. A few have been with us for the whole journey so far. Brave souls!

All of us who have been part of the Red Café team have grown personally as individuals too. We have become more professional and focussed through our experiences in youth and community work. It has been great to be involved with so much and so many. It has been very rewarding to take young people away for the weekend and organise summer activities outside in parks and beaches. Red Café has always had a strong relationship with music and it’s been awesome too, to encourage, hone and support young musicians, bands, DJs, singers, producers and promoters. The creation and development of our Appropriate Education Initiatives has also been significant for us. It’s been so good to see Red Café to grow up alongside young people. We’ve seen young people progress from hanging out during our evening ‘drop in’ provision to becoming more and more involved with the organisation of the project on a voluntary basis to leaving us and gaining their own employment in similar fields.

At a parents open evening held at Red Café, two parents said this…

“I believe Red Café and its volunteers are a great asset to the youth of Mumbles and outlying areas. It is good to know my son has somewhere constructive to spend his evenings instead of hanging around street corners and amusement arcades.”

“I think Red Café is a safe environment where my son can learn about world issues and develop beliefs of their own without pressure. I feel grateful that there are these people who are willing to give up some of their free time to help and encourage the youth of today.”

Looking forward

One of the most rewarding features of the work of Red Café has been the growing sense of ownership amongst those who benefit from the project. Some of our volunteers were originally 12 and 13 year olds when they first came along – they’ve grown up with us! But as good as things have been we are well aware that the future is uncertain. A project like Red café can only thrive with active support from the community that it is aiming to work amongst. So whether it’s volunteering or money, or prayers, or goodwill we need you!