THE Island's youth café, Café Laare, has received high praise from the Minister of Education and Children as it celebrates its first anniversary.
Eddie Teare MHK said he was "astounded" by the reaction to the venue which opened on January 18 last year.
He said: "I have been astounded by the very favourable reaction to the young people's café.
"I can take no credit for the original decision but at the time it was a bold approach and could have been criticised.
"However with the hard work of the youth service team and the enthusiastic participation of the young people it has now become an integral part of the youth scene in Douglas. In many respects it is a trailblazer and a pointer to the future."
The café is run by the Department of Education and Children and is located on Lord Street in Douglas.
As well as providing an area for young people to socialise the café is also used as a meeting point for many agencies and projects that work with young people.
It hosts twice-weekly drop in sessions for young people who are not in employment, education and training (NEETs) and is also the venue for Project Baby Bump which offers information and support to young people under the age of 20 who are pregnant.
Leanne Newbold, youth and community worker in charge of Café Laare, said the department had succeeded in its intention to create a safe and comfortable place for young people to meet friends.
She said: "Café Laare now has a solid reputation for offering advice, information, support and guidance for young people covering an array of issues from asking for the time of the next bus to support over serious issues such as homelessness.
"I am thrilled with the response to Café Laare and how the young people have welcomed and utilised the café.
"Staff deserve a big thank you for their commitment and 'nothing is too much trouble' attitude and I'd like to thank the youth service, the police, our neighbours and other agencies who have welcomed the project and fully supported our ethos."
Young people and staff from the café were part of a group that won a Britain in Bloom award in 2010 for their part in the transformation of the Snake Pit area close to the café.
The café has also been the subject of a documentary filmed by students from Queen Elizabeth II High School for a BBC online project.
Café Laare's first anniversary will be marked with a public open day on Saturday, January 29, between 1pm and 6pm.
Normal opening hours are 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4pm to 11pm on Friday and from 1pm to 11pm on Saturdays.
