A local charity has launched a new youth centre to cater for the needs of scores of young people aged eight to 18 in Trowbridge.

Trowbridge Future has created the Mill Street youth centre in central Trowbridge to provide a safe space for young people.

Youngsters will be able to attend professionally-led youth sessions from Monday to Thursday where they can enjoy a range of activities, spend time with friends and benefit from youth worker support.

Trowbridge Future has run evening youth sessions from Studley Green and Seymour in recent years, but limited space has restricted activities, as well as the number of children who can join.

Deborah McLean, youth manager at Trowbridge Future, said: “We are so excited to open the Mill Street centre to young people and to see them enjoy what it has to offer.

“From table football and air hockey, to a gaming room, to cooking, mentoring and craft spaces, it has everything that we have talked about together, to give our wonderful young people the space and support they need to really flourish.”

Poppy, who has been attending weekly youth sessions for several years and is now a youth ambassador for the charity, said: “‘Opening Mill Street, has done wonders for Trowbridge Future and it gives the club a chance to expand and make more youths' lives better.”

The Mill Street youth centre is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the Future High Streets fund managed by Wiltshire Council, Selwood Housing and local businesses and organisations who raised funds for the project and gave their support in kind.

Trowbridge Future was recently awarded £430,000 of National Lottery funding to support people through the cost of living crisis. It is also moving its community hub in The Shires shopping centre to a larger unit.

Meg Aubrey, chief executive officer of Trowbridge Future, said: “We are so grateful for the financial support that has made this project possible and the local businesses that have fundraised for us, and given their time and expertise to renovate and create the space for us.

“We have aspired to a dedicated, central youth space for many years and to have the support of the National Lottery and local people to make it possible is a wonderful achievement for Trowbridge.”

Florence Espeut-Nickless, a writer and actor who is the charity’s first patron, officially opened The Mill Street youth centre at an event attended by Trowbridge Mayor, Cllr Stephen Cooper, local businesses and individuals who have been key to its launch.

Florence worked with young people from Trowbridge Future when she wrote Trowbridge’s contribution to The Odyssey for the National Theatre project hosted at Trowbridge Town Hall last year.

She said: “I first came to Trowbridge College as a teenager and the town holds a special place in my heart.

“Everyone needs a space outside of school and home where they can be themselves and find connection, and Mill Street is now that space for young people in Trowbridge.”

Trowbridge Future is a small, independent charity based in Trowbridge offering support and advice to the local community.

It was set up in 1995 with a vision to give a voice to socially and economically disadvantaged communities in the town, helping people to come together to make positive changes to where they live.

The Mill Street sessions will initially run for young people already registered with the charity, launching in April. For new enquiries, email youth@trowbridgefuture.org.uk.

The charity is recruiting a youth development leader to work as part of the Mill Street team. Please visit www.trowbridgefuture.org.uk for application details.