JADE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

General information

In March 2014, JADE celebrated the 15th year since their first ever dance event, back in 1999. Our journey began simply; a group of friends who learnt how to DJ and MC at Kiveton Youth Centre. Through the training provided by Redroad Music, they had to perform in public to achieve their level 2 in DJ’ing. They created the name ‘JADE – Just Another Dance Event’, and put on a small event to around fifty local young people and friends.

It has been some journey for JADE. The events grew out of all expectation; over 200 young people were cramming into the youth centre, so they moved events over to the hall at the Working Mens Club, where they were attracting in excess of 350 young people - and further growing the JADE brand. The events raised over £5000 for local charities in their time in Kiveton Park.

The success of the JADE branding had gained them a great reputation amongst young people in the area. After consultation with the young people in Kiveton, JADE opened their drop in Centre in the village in 2006. The project was lead by young people from day one, and still has young people at the forefront to this day. The centre provided a ‘living room’ type environment, where they could sit and chill with friends, take part in modern day activities like DJ’ing, X-Box, Facebook, pick up any advice from youth workers - and have somewhere safe and entertaining to visit, as often as they like.

Fast forward to 2014 and JADE is now a registered charity and are delivering programmes and sessions across Rotherham and Sheffield - working with around 350 young people per week. They also work closely with many local secondary schools to deliver mentoring training programmes to young people.

JADE work closely with the local Police - to help build better relationships between our young people, and their communities. The partnership work between South Yorkshire Police and JADE around legal high drugs has been highly commended.

Alongside provision in Kiveton Park, JADE has now opened a community centre in the heart of Dinnington providing support for young people and the wider community. Our sessions engage young people from across the area in a wide range of services that improve health, lower offending, develop new skills and support young people to develop their confidence and self esteem.