A hot chocolate, a friendly welcome and someone to talk to: a new free drop-in café for young people aged 12–21 is now open in Frome thanks to funding from Frome Town Council.
Young Somerset and Focus Frome are joining forces to offer mental health and wellbeing support at The Cabin at the Key Centre, Frome, every Tuesday during term time, from 3.30pm to 5pm.
Developed in response to local demand for more community-based mental health support for young people, the project will offer informal wellbeing drop-ins, one-to-one Wellbeing Conversations and targeted group work. The partnership aims to help young people access support earlier, build confidence and resilience, and connect with further help where needed.
Mayor of Frome, Cllr Mark Dorrington said, “We’re really pleased to support this project. It’s important that young people in Frome have somewhere they can go, feel welcome and talk to someone if they need to. Not everyone feels ready to ask for support, so having an informal space where they can drop in for a chat is a really positive step. Our funding will help the café run until the end of July 2027, giving more young people the opportunity to access support locally.”
Lucia Chadwick, Chief Executive of Focus Frome, said ” The café will provide a welcoming space where young people can relax, connect with others and chat with wellbeing practitioners and trained counsellors. Whether they are feeling anxious, finding school or relationships difficult, or simply want someone to listen, they are welcome to come along. There is no charge, no booking and no referral needed the invite is to just simply drop in. Young people do not need to have attended counselling before or know what they want to talk about.”
The partnership brings together Focus Frome’s counselling experience and Young Somerset’s expertise in supporting young people’s wellbeing, offering an approachable first step for those who may be unsure where to turn.
Young people, parents, carers, schools and local organisations are encouraged to spread the word and help those who could benefit find a warm, welcoming and friendly space offering the support they need.
Sessions will run during term time only. You can find out about this new drop-in café and other activities and support offered at the Key Centre on www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/the-key-centre
