The Mill, the young peoples’ coffee bar, advice and information centre on the corner of North Street and Rax Lane is in its 12th year.  As a registered charity they rely heavily on volunteers to run sessions and do the fundraising. So they had the idea that if 500 people in Bridport became a ‘Friend of The Mill’ for just £5 per month (or more if anyone chose) our money worries would be over! We could also extend our services further and the People of Bridport would share ‘ownership’ of The Mill.

In the past 12 years they have increased opening hours during term time to include evenings and are open Saturday afternoons during the winter months, as well as the usual after school sessions. 

The lively coffee bar offers music, pool, the Internet, play stations plus there is tea, coffee and snacks available for all young people.  There are always two session workers on hand  to serve the coffee and to offer a listening ear, a chat a laugh and get to know the young people.  The resident agencies are available if more help is needed – Connexions for career advice and others for health and relationship advice and support.

"The core funding we get from Dorset County Council/ The Youth Service, West Dorset District Council, Connexions, Social Care & Health and the Bridport Town Council gives us enough to pay the rent and run the building (telephone, utilities, insurances, etc).  The other half of the monies to pay the two part time staff comes from grant and trust fund applications.  Their roles include managing the voluntary session staff, co-ordinating the resident agencies, running sessions and engaging in one to one discussions with individual young people.

At the present time we are partly victims of our success in the past two years where grants and trust funds only give every two years.  However, we have also been unsuccessful in a lottery and Children in Need bids.  We are very actively applying to other grants and trust funds but are in urgent need of funding!"

If anyone wishes to become a Friend of The Mill our bank details are:
NatWest, 22 East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LG
Millennium Advice Centre, sort code 60-03-29 account 87645734
Our registered charity number is 1080155