YOUR Ideas Youth & Community Project is opening up its stunning games room to the wider public for the first time ever later this month.
With more than 3,000 games on show – including Japanese retro arcades – it looks set to become the ultimate gamers’ haven.
The non-profit organisation opened over the summer but under strict Government guidelines due to coronavirus.
Your Ideas, which works with around 165 vulnerable youngsters, told the Standard that the pandemic had drastically affected its income.
Opening up the renovated games room, which now has neon graffiti on the walls, for private hire on Saturdays and Sundays (from September 14), is one of the ways the organisation has attempted to mitigate the financial impact of Covid-19.
Project manager Jordan Cooke said: “We have overcome many obstacles over the last few months so I’m really looking forward to properly re-opening under looser restrictions.
“But rest assured we are still doing deep cleans twice a week, have hand sanitiser in every room and are working closely with the County Council to keep everyone safe.
“We are welcoming the public to support us by hiring out our spaces.
“Money generated will continue to part fund our work with our young people, many of whom are on the autistic spectrum.”
Mr Cooke added that Your Ideas’ sports hall facilities will also be available for private hire, including for birthday parties and dance classes on weekends.
Redditch MP Rachel Maclean visited the youth project last Friday.
She said: “It was great to be back at Your Ideas. They’ve re-opened in a covid-secure way and their game room is amazing.
“I wish something like that was around when my kids were younger.
“Jordan and his team do amazing work for our town’s young people and I look forward to continuing to champion and support Your Ideas in any way I can.”
Visit http://www.yourideas.org.uk for more information.
