A community in one of England’s most economically challenged coastal towns is celebrating a wave of “hope and relief” after successfully saving their last youth center from closure.
The nonprofit organization, Pie Factory Music, has been a cornerstone of Ramsgate, located on the picturesque coast of Kent, for 13 years. It provides invaluable services such as counseling, employment guidance, life skills training, creative projects, and a welcoming environment for young people aged 8 to 25 to connect and make friends.
Recently, however, the charity faced a significant challenge as the local council planned to auction the land on which the center stands. In response, the dedicated team at Pie Factory launched a campaign to halt the auction, joining forces with other community organizations to highlight the positive impact the center has on Ramsgate.
Determined to secure the center’s future, the organizers applied for a grant from the “Pride in Place” initiative—a program established by the current Labor government aimed at investing in underprivileged communities across the nation.
With an impressive funding amount of over $500,000, Pie Factory was able to purchase the freehold title of the land, providing a solid foundation for their transformative work to continue.
Brian Horton, interim chair of the Ramsgate Neighborhood Board, expressed the board’s commitment, stating, “We are dedicated to providing safe, positive spaces for the next generations to thrive.”
“The knowledge that our future in this building is secure brings us immense hope and relief,” shared Zoë Carassik, chief executive of Pie Factory. “We are incredibly thankful to the Pride in Place program and everyone who has supported us.”
Pie Factory is known for organizing a diverse range of activities, from cooking classes led by refugee families to lively soccer games. Yet, one element that remains a constant is music; there’s always a soundtrack playing at Pie, with every young person getting a chance to share their favorite tunes.
Join in the celebration of this remarkable community center that continues to uplift and inspire the youth of Ramsgate!
