The Gate

Our new centre "The gate" launched last month with the who's who of stocktons statutory, voluntary and community sector joining us to celebrate. see link to read about the launch

Read on to see how A WAY OUT have converted a disused office block into a purposely designed education and support centre.

Background to the Centre

Over the last three years we have delivered support, advice, education and rehabilitation to a number of women and young people. We have been running our projects from a small drop in centre in Stockton-on-Tees and within a number of other community locations.
Over the three years our project has worked with over 2000 women and young people.  The organsiation has grown rapidly and by summer last year we had quickly outgrown our small drop in centre.

How the Dream became a Reality

Our Service Director, Jessie, had a dream to see a purpose designed centre, to be used by the many women and young people A WAYOUT were working to reach.  In October 2008 we found an amazing building in the heart of Stockton. It was located by the Castlegate Quay and had views overlooking the river.  It was a 4000sq foot two story office block and had many rooms, but was in a much needed state of repair.

It was our vision was to convert this building into a modern and stylish education, support and rehabilitation centre, with many rooms, offering a varity of activities aimed at reaching out and improving the lives of women, young people and families.

As the centre needed a lot of work we embarked upon an extensive rennovation project, enlisting support and funding from a number of businesses, tradesmen, community members and young people themeslves.

We were also able to attract the support of an up and coming graphic design agency, Unfold Studio, who helped develop the branding and some of the design of the building. (see more from Unfold Studio)

The Centre

The centre is now complete and is an amazing ground breaking centre that sets a bench mark for services to women and young people both locally and even nationally.

It offers an holistic programme of activities taking into account a persons emotional needs, alongside their educational, physical and spiritual needs. 

The centre has:

• Office space for 16 staff members
• Classrooms & training facilities
• Dance studio 
• Games room
• Youth café with a training kitchen
• Computer & Internet room
• Counselling room
• Group therapy / cosy area
• Art & Wet room
• Shower room
• Utilities & Laundry facilities

We expect the centre to be used for a variety of activities for vulnerable women and young people either by A WAY OUT or other youth and community organsiations in the local area.

Activities to be delivered will include

• Alternative education
• Art based learning
• Dance workshops
• Creative arts workshops
• Health and Beauty sessions
• IT facilities and training
• Emotional support (counselling, therapies etc)
• Practical support & Mentoring
• Advice and guidance around a range of issues
• Faith based activities
• Youth drop in
• Women's drop in
• Recreational activities
• Movie Nights