The Summer is looking bright for Ramsgate youth charity Pie Factory Music with a packed programme of activities as they continue to fight to save Ramsgate Youth Centre.
In the last two years, Pie Factory Music has survived a major cut to its core funding with the loss of commissioned youth services, followed by news that Kent County Council intends to sell its youth centre.
The charity is now at a critical point in the campaign to reverse KCC’s decision to auction the building at commercial market. Pie has had two bids for the property rejected.
Now the charity is preparing a case to prove that selling the site won’t save the council money in the long term and Pie hopes to secure permanent occupancy of the premises. If KCC take the property to auction and it is sold, it’s being sold as tenanted -with Pie operating from it.
So, the charity won’t be going anywhere soon, says Pie CEO Zoë Carassik:“Our summer programme of activities has only just begun and already our numbers are significantly up. It represents what we’ve been seeing all year – young people want a space like ours, and research shows that they need it.
“We continue to fight for a reversal of the decision to dispose of Ramsgate Youth Centre and to evidence to KCC that the argument that it will save them money is a false economy.
“Research shows the invaluable work youth centres like Pie do for their local communities, which in turn saves money by keeping young people safe, including as a preventative measure when it comes to crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as supporting their mental health.
“We’re doing our absolute best to secure the future of the premises as a youth centre for generations of young people to come. Whatever happens, Pie will survive, but it could mean significantly downsizing our provision.
“The love and support we’ve from our community gives us the drive to carry on, despite the challenges. We can’t thank the people of East Kent enough.”
Get a Slice of Pie this summer
There’s gaming, music workshops with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, nerf wars as well as trips to Thorpe Park and Minster Scout Camp. Most of the sessions are free (trips have a cost). Here’s what’s on
Workshops and Events (free)
Dungeons & Dragons
Tue 5, 12, 19, 26 Aug, 5 – 6:30pm, 13 – 17 years
Our young Dungeon Master Luke has created taster shorts which will act as an introduction to the world of the Dungeons and Dragons game.
National Youth Jazz Orchestra (free)
Tue 5 Aug, Wed 6 Aug, Thu 7 August, 11am – 3pm, 13 – 17 years
Learn to make bold new sounds on the tuba and have a go at writing your own spoken word pieces at this three-day course with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Sign up by emailing [email protected].
Bike Repair workshop – Wellness Day (free)
Wed 20th Aug, Ellington Park Ramsgate (CT11 9TL) 11 – 17 years
Nerf wars (free)
Fri 29 Aug, 12:30 – 2:30pm, 11 – 17 years
Episode III: Revenge of the staff!
Trips (cost associated)
Residential at Minster Scout Camp
Wed 13, Thu 14, Fri 15 Aug, 13 – 17 years, £70pp
A two-night residential with activities including archery, axe throwing, rifle shooting and a trip to White Mills Aqua Park.
Sessions (free)
Mondays
Bike Project, 5 – 6:45pm, 11-17 years, drop-in (except bank holiday)
The Live Room, 7 – 9pm, 13–17 years, drop-in
Tuesdays
Band Room. 7 – 9pm, 11-17 years, drop-in
Wednesdays
Chill & Hang Out, 12:30 – 2:30pm, 30th Jul, 20th and 27th Aug, 11-17 years, drop-in
An extra summer youth club session to play games, hang out, chat with friends and chill.
Thursdays
Junior Youth Club, 5 – 7pm, 8-12 years, drop-in
Fridays
Chill & Hang Out, 12:30 – 2:30pm, 25th Jul, 1st & 22nd Aug, 11-17 years, drop-in
An extra summer youth club session to play games, hang out, chat with friends and chill.
Check out everything you can get up to at www.piefactorymusic.com/whats-on
Discover more at www.piefactorymusic.com/whats-on
Have Your Say
Whatever the future holds for the youth charity, they are looking forward and want you to be a part of the next slice of Pie. They want to hear your views on how they’re doing and how Pie can do more to grow and adapt in the best way possible for the young people of Thanet and East Kent.
Have ‘your slice’ by completing the short online survey by going to https://bit.ly/yourslice.
By taking part in the survey, you can opt in to enter their Prize Draw to WIN dinner for two at Seabird Ramsgate (there is no obligation to do this to complete the survey).
why these people come up with these stupid names for these places – pie factory for christ sake , whats all that about ? when it was built , and for many years after it was known as the concord , which i think was fair enough ?
It’s been known as Pie Factory for almost 25 years. They’re a well-known and respected charity. What’s there to moan about?
Because the people who run it look like they’ve been eating too many pies?
All the information that was in the article, and that’s what you’ve chosen to focus on?
Each to their own, I suppose…
Well done to Pie Factory for being a valuable community asset for young people in the area and providing a diverse programme of activities.
‘Real World’ has absolutely nothing positive to say about anything regarding Thanet. ‘The local Misanthrope’ would be a more appropriate handle for this creature.
thank you for your comments Mr Lawrence , you are obviously so politicaly correct – are you related to St Lawrence, where this establishment is housed by any chance ? i also tend to agree with Mr Checksfield,s comment regarding the pie eating contest
What a pair of loved up tools, real world and TheWriter…
Bodyshaming people and ranting about the name of a community centre…
Fatties: over-sensitive.