A DROP-in cafe set up to give youngsters a safe place to be with their friends, celebrates its first birthday this week.

Lightbox Youth Cafe will hold a party for more than 60 youths, which attend its sessions.

The drop-in café in Sansome Walk started last March with the aim of bringing youngsters in the city together for an evening of games and a safe place to spend time with their friends.

Lightbox was set up by three local churches, St Paul’s, Worcester Baptist and All Saint’s and is held in the back hall at Worcester Baptist in Sansome Walk.

Lorna Nicholls, youth and community worker at St Paul’s who heads up the project said: “We’ve now got 63 youths on the books.

“I can’t believe it’s been a year already.

“We’re going to have a little birthday party on Friday, we’ve got cake and party hats.

“I’m going to make them all wear one!”

The café is hoping to link up on the streets with Worcester City Council's detached youth team over the next year to bring more youth to a safe environment with the opportunity to connect with others.

The team talks to youths on the street, helping them understand important issues like drugs, alcohol and avoiding abusive relationships.

She said: “I’d love for Lightbox to be the brand and the café being the centre with the detached team out in the city.”

The café has made a huge difference to some of the youth in the city this year.

She added: “One member was shy when they first arrived and didn’t talk to anyone, now they’re always there, and they’re unrecognisable now because they are no longer shy and really confident.

“It makes it so worth it.” added Lorna.

The cafe is open 7-9 pm for ages 11–18.

ENDS