Doing it for the kids – and making money

Drum Housing Association has redeveloped one of its properties to provide commercial services for local businesses.

It's a unique project that helps fund the Hampshire-based registered social landlord's community youth work.

The centre, called RKdia, provides accommodation, support and training opportunities for young people. It has a seminar and meeting room, a fully equipped IT training facility and an area for functions with a commercial catering service that also doubles as an American-style diner.

RKdia is much more than just accommodation or a youth centre, it is a project dedicated to helping young people to develop confidence, self-respect and skills to help them get on in life.

It provides 16 general needs flats and 12 supported flats specifically for young people between 16-25, but also offers job training and guidance, support and counselling, drop-in evenings on social issues, Duke of Edinburgh Awards and ongoing support for the young. Training includes IT, financial control, first aid and tall ships training vessels where young people can join the crew to learn team-building and self-respect.

The cafe provides a social centre where events can take place and youngsters can meet in a friendly environment. A youth football team has also been formed, which has encouraged young people to find friendship, and experience teamwork.

RKdia now offers a tangible service to the local business community

Chris Adams, project coordinator

The project was funded jointly by Drum with East Hampshire District Council and the Lottery Fund and the new commercial facilities provide RKdia with an income to help support its youth community projects.

By generating an income from the business community, RKdia can maintain and expand the service it offers to the youth community. The project has used National Lottery funding to invest in training equipment, including computers that will help to support it in the medium and longer term.

Project coordinator Chris Adams has pitched the new facilities at competitive rates to help kick-start the project. He said "We have a great team with a lot of experience and brand new facilities. RKdia now offers a tangible service to the business community that will help to support the needs of our youth. It is progressive and dynamic and I have every confidence that it will thrive. We want local businesses and organisations to have a look at us and try us out."

For Peter Cruttenden, Drum's chairman, it's all part of the RSL taking a wider role in its neighbourhood. "The organisation is wholeheartedly committed to the In Business for Neighbourhoods strategy," he says.