A Place to be opened in June 2005 for a trial period as a place where 11 to 16 year old could meet safely on a Friday night. Averaging 25 to 30 attendees each week specific young people were identified for focus having low self esteem and inadequate inter-personal skills. This focus has continued with a new youth leader team in 2011 with considerable expertise at handling such needy young people and this focus, much needed with a fair minority, will continue and grow.

The need for A Place to be Youth Group was first established by the Haslemere Initiative in 2003 when it carried out a survey in the Town to establish what the populations wanted to change or be improved. One area for change was to provide something for young people which would decrease vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Following consultation at the secondary school in Haslemere, Woolmer Hill School, it was established that, what young people really wanted was a place to meet friends.

We hope that we are providing a venue for young people that will keep them off the streets on a Friday night and assit their personal development. In those specific problem cases, we have seen some improvement in behaviour that should translate into more rounded young people that are more ready for the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood. Finally, we are working at interesting the young people in community projects. This is in its early stages but 2012/13 will see some results.