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Youngsters gain work skills thanks to Tracey Emin

BBC Three young people look at the camera. Naveed (left) is Asian heritage and had a beard. He wears a grey and white jumper with a snowflake pattern. Anya wears a holey white jumper with a black shirt underneath. She has blue/black hair, dark eyeliner, a nose piercing and is holding two glasses. Kamil has ginger hair and glasses and is wearing a Christmas jumper. BBC
Naveed (left), Anya and Kamil have all been learning new skills

A building gifted by artist Tracey Emin has been turned into a training centre for young people.

The Perfect Place to Grow café in Margate, Kent, will teach catering and front of house hospitality skills in the hope of helping 18-24-year-olds find long-term local employment.

The Turner Prize-nominated artist grew up in the town.

"None of this would have been possible without her support," said one of the cafe's founders Lee Coad.

A young person with ginger hair, glasses and a red jumper wears an apron while a man next to him with a grey beard wears a blue apron. There are ovens and cooking appliances in the background.
Young people are learning cooking skills to equip them to find employment

Twenty-year-old Anya Gardiner said: "I have learnt how to prepare food in a kitchen using safe practices, it's been transformative and very healing.

"They support you to achieve your dreams."

Naveed Ahmed, 28, came to the UK from Pakistan and said the project helped him gain confidence in a new country.

"The Perfect Place to Grow was the first place where I made new friends," he said.

"I didn't speak much English. The people here didn't judge me or my background. They're supporting me learning new skills and I'm very grateful."

Getty Images Tracey Emin attends a private view of 'I Followed You To The End' by Tracey Emin at White Cube Bermondsey on September 18, 2024 in London, England. She wears a dark jacket and a red blouse, with her hair in plaits.Getty Images
Artist Tracey Emin has gifted the building to the training cafe

Youth unemployment in Thanet is 10.1%, the highest rate in the South East.

The Labour MP for East Thanet, Polly Billington, said: "Margate is a long way from big towns with big employers.

"Small businesses here in Thanet want to support young people but small businesses have particular needs and so do young people.

"The integrated way the government is looking at this now is to support young people who may have health challenges, including mental health challenges."

Mr Coad said The Perfect Place to Grow relies on trusts and grants.

He said: "Tracey Emin is our Patron and has gifted this space, but we are always looking for support and funding to be able to give paid work experience to young people so they can be stable, put things on the CV and hopefully be in sustainable work."

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