Council opens new space for young people to hang out this autumn holidays

A HANG-out space for young folk has opened in Lerwick for the October holidays.

The Hub is located at 66/68 Commercial Road, and is open to young people between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. The age range is 12 to 26, but there will be different spaces for different ages.

There is free WiFi on offer in the warm space, while folk will be able to have refreshments and food.

The Hub is being put on by Shetland Islands Council’s youth services team.

It comes amid continued concern over the lack of spaces for young people to go to in Lerwick.

This led to the OPEN peer education project launching a study into the issue.

That project already runs a youth cafe in the Olive Tree in Lerwick on Thursday and Friday afternoons between 4pm and 6pm.

Senior SIC youth worker Martin Summers said he was happy with the initial response to the Hub, as around a dozen young people made use of the facilities on the first day.

He said he and his team were keen to engage in discussions with Shetland’s younger population exploring what other services could be provided.

“Young people need us help shape this. We want to listen and make sure we act on this,” he said.

The Hub on Commercial Road is not fully accessible, however. One half of the building – number 66 – is wheelchair friendly, but number 68 is not.

Anyone with enquiries about accessibility is asked to contact youthservices@shetland.gov.uk