The Base
The Base
The Base at 48 Buchanan St is open Mon- Fri 12.30-15.30 to all young people aged 16-25 in the local area. It is an inclusive and vibrant environment providing a wealth of support such as a free hot lunch, washing and laundry facilities, food and toiletry parcels and assistance with the cost-of-living crisis.
The Base is a welcoming youth provision managed by a team of enthusiastic staff members and volunteers, who are ready to listen to you and support you on your journey. We understand it can be scary to reach out for help and work hard to make Streetlife a trauma informed, confidential and non-judgmental place to be.
Wellbeing
Along with providing basic needs there is a whole weekly programme dedicated to promoting wellbeing and empowering young people with the skills to manage their own needs. We are passionate about participation and our activities are shaped around feedback from our young people, who are included in the planning process. In addition to that we are lucky to have an experienced on-site wellbeing practitioner who is available to meet for 121 appointments.
Weekly Activity Program:
If there is one word to describe the base, it is community! There are so many ways to connect, even if you are feeling shy to begin with – sharing a hot meal together, chatting to others who may understand what you are going through, playing a game of pool or a board game. If you are feeling brave join one of the teambuilding activities which are always a lot of fun! You are welcome to participate as little or as much as you choose.
Mindfulness covers many activities that can reduce stress/ anxiety/depression by learning to be present in the moment. This can range from meditation to yoga or simply getting some fresh air by joining a walk & talk. Our sister circle session has proved popular on Tuesdays where women can relax, connect and empower themselves in a safe space. Even small practices such as mindful colouring or gratitude exercises can also be a great way to unwind.
A healthy body promotes a healthy mind and it is well known that exercise is effective in managing mental health. Activities on offer regularly include free trips to the gym, an outing to the park, boxing sessions and sometimes a journey further afield into the countryside to get away from it all and challenge yourself to do some hill walking. We also hold our men’s group on Wednesdays, which is a dedicated safe space for young men to come together and discuss any challenges they are facing and receive peer support.
We believe that every young person who visits Streetlife has valuable skills, and yes that includes you! Thursdays are all about exploring these and finding your passions. Cook and Eat begins at 11am where you can be a part of planning the day’s lunch for the drop in and work together to make a delicious meal. Other activities include art projects, music sessions – do you play guitar, would you like to explore your rap skills or just have fun joining in the kareoke? We also run a LifeWise programme where you can work towards gaining valuable certified skills that will set you up for employment.
Giving back to the community and helping others is fantastic for the feel-good factor – ask any of our volunteers! On Fridays we engage in activities such as litter picking, beach cleans or preparing a meal for the Nightshelter. A lot of young people recently took part in an art project where they painted pebbles collected from the beach and dotted them around the local community with a little note to brighten people’s days. Giving back can be a lot of fun if you are creative about it!
Learn more about Streetlife and our support services
