A NEW youth cafe will be opened in Monkwick next year after receiving funding from the charity Grassroots.

The cafe, for 13 to 18-yearolds living on the estate, will be run by volunteers every Friday night from 6pm until 8pm.

There will be pool, table tennis, snacks, computer and board games available.

It is hoped it will open early next year after receiving the £1,800 grant.

The bid was made by the Monkwick Residents’ Association and ward councillor Dave Harris is delighted.

He said: “It is great and means we have a facility for young people.

“We are meeting youth services this week to discuss the details, but this will make a huge difference for youngsters in the area.”

He is hoping it could be open as early as January at the Scout hall on Queen Elizabeth Way. The youth club will be run by trained volunteers.

Colchester Council is helping with checks, training and organisation.

Grassroots was set up to help local good causes in north Essex. It is funded via donations and has just announced £6,208 worth of new grants. These include: ! Walton Preschool: £500 to support the charity providing high-quality, affordable, preschool education plus a range of other community services including a job club.

! Tendring VIPs: £500 to fund transport costs for the self help group supporting blind and partially sighted people.

! Dynamite Drama Company West Mersea: £300 to pay for lighting and sound for the pantomime performed by children living on West Mersea.

! Salcott-cum-Virley Village Hall: £500 for a new door and kitchen lighting.

! Disability for Sport: £456 for new sporting equipment.

! Colchester Cruse Bereavement Care: £230 to pay for stationery and a phone system for the charity helping those who have lost a loved one.

! 4 Youth Brightlingsea: £400 to help pay for an educational trip to London for a group providing youth facilities for children.

! CVST Dabbers Art Club: £240 paying for hall hire for and art club.

! Signpost: £232 for a laptop and printer for the charity supporting unemployed people in Colchester and Jaywick.

! Friends International: £50 paying for leaflets for a Christian support service helping international students in Colchester.

! The Grand Theatre of Lemmings: £400 for a marquee for the Harwich-based art theatre company.

! DNA Networks Colchester: £500 to help reopen Maldon Road Chapel as a community centre by a charity working to alleviate poverty in the town.