23 September 2014
Local MP Peter Aldous has praised the work being carried out at the youth and community centre Boston Lodge in North Lowestoft.
 
The comments came as Mr Aldous visited the centre on Boston Road on the invitation of Centre Manager Sharon Tejada-Jimenez
 
Boston Lodge was taken over by children’s charity Ormiston Families at the beginning of the year and they have been working to restore activity at the centre ever since.
 
Peter Aldous was given a tour of the facility and was able to speak to some of those who use Boston Lodge.
 
Peter Aldous MP said: “It is welcome news that Boston Lodge has reopened under the management of Ormiston Families and Service Manager Sharon Tejada-Jimenez. I very much enjoyed my visit to meet staff and to hear more about Ormiston’s plans, which will bring the centre back in to full use and will provide an extremely important facility for the local community.”
 
Centre Manager Sharon Tejada-Jimenez said: “We’ve come a long way in reintroducing activity to the centre and there is still a long way to go but it’s an exciting time to be here.” 
 
“Our vision at Boston Lodge is to create a Community hub that is accessible to as many people as possible, while providing a venue for groups and services that benefit the local community.”
 
Boston Lodge is currently used by a number of groups including mental health charity Mind who are able to use the centre to run a range of Counselling Sessions, workshops and support groups.
 
The building also acts as a venue for youth project Dreamworx, the Youth Offending Service who provide courses for Young People & their Families, and a meeting place for Waveney District Council’s BME(Black and minority ethnic) support group.
 
There’s even space for a locally run groups including chair exercise classes, and self-defence classes for local residents.
 
Centre manager Sharon said: “The next step is to start looking after the building itself, both inside and out. I am determined for Boston Lodge to become a place that the local community not only uses, but is proud of.”
 
There are a number of rooms available for hire at Boston Lodge whether for meetings, youth groups, classes or courses. Visit ormiston.org/bostonlodge for more information or call 01502 574842 or email enquires@ormiston.org.