‘I feel valued which is new for me’
A BIT ABOUT US
We hope you enjoy browsing our website and seeing some of the things we get up to at Switch Youth Cafe!
Opening times: Term time Tuesday to Friday 3.30pm-7.00pm. Non term times Tuesday to Friday 2.00pm-7.00pm – Saturdays 2pm – 5pm – Age range 11-21 years.
OUR SPONSORS
SUPPORT US
With your support we can help the young people of Maidstone’s personal and social development within a safe environment.
The staff and young people of Switch want to say a big thank you for considering fundraising for us and we would love to hear about what you get up to. If you want to send us any updates or pictures, we will happily spread the word to help make your fundraiser an even bigger success, via our facebook, twitter and website.
If you needed some help in where to start with your fundraising we’ve created a fundraising pack, which you can download, with loads of hints and tips for what to do and how to make the most of your event!
You can download our fundraising pack by clicking here: 
We wish you the best of luck in your endeavour and once again thank you from both the Switch team and the young people who use Switch!
Give as you Live…
…is a shopping price comparison website,
which passes on a percentage of the money they earn to
the charity chosen by you.
You can shop for products from thousands of online
retailers; use their price comparison tool to ensure you
get the best price and use their exclusive deals and offers.
The best part about it is that it’s free for you to use and it
helps riase funds for us. So all you need to do is your normal
online shopping using the Give As You Live shopping bar
or through their website, and we get a percentage of money
based on where you shop.
To support us please use the link below:
Click here to download our fundraising pack
Here are the three little things that makes us special
OUR TEAM
This is our dedicated team who work day-in and day-out together to bring
our members a great environment for socialising and personal development
Mark Chase
Manager
Nick Batchelor
Lead Youth Worker
Erin
Youth Support Assistant
Kris
Volunteer
Matt
Volunteer
Gavin
Volunteer
Alvie
Volunteer
Lynn
Volunteer
Woody Woodgate
Patron
Staff Qualifications
BA (Hons) Informal Learning
Level 3 Youth Work
Level 3 Humanistic Counselling
Level 3 Safeguarding Children Designated Officer
Level 3 Drug And Alcohol Counselling
Level 3 Community Justice (Drug & Alcohol Services)
Level 2 Gangs & Youth Violence
Level 2 Mental Health
Level 2 Food & Hygiene
Level 2 Self Harm
Level 2 Working With Young People
Level 5 Effective Practice Youth Justice
Level 5 Child Psychology
Level 5 Criminology
Also trained in
Substance Misusing Parents
Child Protection-Online Risks
Sexual Health (Get It Card)
Awareness Of Child Abuse & Neglect
Child Sexual Exploitation
Good Practice In Child Protection Conference
Effective Behaviour Management
Safe& Effective Mentoring
Risk Assessment/D.U.S.T Training
Domestic Abuse And Substance Misuse
Group Work Skills
Working Towards;
Youth Justice Effective Practice Certificate
Support & Advice
We offer a friendly environment, specifically for young people, with trained staff available to offer support, advice and guidance should you need it.
We have faith in all young people, and accept everyone who steps through the door, and believe that you should all have a voice that’s heard!
Over the past five years we have supported young people with issues involving sexual health (we are CCard registered), drugs, alcohol, problems at school, college, at home and anything in between.
We can help you with CV building or even advice with interviews, we will help cater for as many of your needs as possible.
Switch’s experience working with different agencies and charities means even if we can’t personally help you we will try our absolute hardest to refer you to someone who can.
You can either contact us directly or check our helplines page.
GET INVOLVED
Last year Switch provided over 20 young people with work experience meaning that over 1600 hours were accrued and used to support their development. We also had over 30 young people volunteer with us for a further 1000 hours. We have a number of ways you can get involved.
There are now currently 7 young people and 7 adult volunteers with the aim of recruiting more.
You could:
• Volunteer
• Do your work experience here
• Become a member of Maidstone Youth Forum
Volunteer
Here are a few of the many reasons you could volunteer:
• Learn new skills
• Good for your C.V
• Work alongside experienced people in their field
• Make new friends
• Knowing you’re making a unique contribution to our work
Although the aim of a volunteer is to support the charity we also want to support you. Therefore it is important that we know what you are interested in so we can tailor the volunteering experience to suit you.
Work experience
We have been able to provide work experience for young people who are interesting in:
• Catering
• IT
• Business and Admin
• Health and Social Care
• Working with Young People.
Spaces are limited so don’t miss out, come join us and help us help others.
Maidstone Youth Forum
MYF is held at Switch every Wednesday from 4.15– 5.15pm. MYF have, in the past year been involved in fundraising, holding music concerts in the town centre, going on demonstrations in London, explored environmental issues, gained youth achievement awards, become music champions and formed their own band. It’s giving the youth a voice and chance to take lead on what you want to do.
If you are interested in meeting new people and helping MYF help each other, Switch and other members of the community then please come and say hello. You can contact them via maidstoneyouthforum@gmail.com or find them on facebook.
If any of the above interest you then feel free to contact us via phone or email.
What the youth say about Switch
Switch member
‘Switch is amazing in my eyes, I’ve always felt safe here! It is like a second home to me, my family trust me here. Since coming here about 4 months ago I’ve gained more confidence in myself’
Switch member
‘Switch encourages me to get out of the house and socialise with my friends, to get away from the computer screens and have fun’
Switch member
‘There’s a lot of good people to talk to.’
Switch member
‘Switch does so much for the community for young people. It gives them a place to go out of the cold, people who care to talk to, a place to chill and a place to have.’
Switch member
‘Thank you for letting us be us.’
Switch member
‘Switch is a great place for teenagers to go. I am thankful that Switch is here because it helps me with my everyday life.’
Switch member
‘Switch has encouraged me to be myself. I have spoken to people about my mental health issues and they have helped me so much! If they hadn’t been here for me I don’t know where I would be now or whether I’d be here at all.’
Switch member