Margate Sea Cadets enjoy new adventures in their newly renovated youth hub

Margate Sea Cadets is a volunteer led youth development and community organisation for young people across Thanet and the surrounding area. The unit is at the heart of the community, and it’s been here for over 100 years. Some of the cadets really struggle with school but they find a family at the Sea Cadets, grow in confidence, make friends and work hard. The Sea Cadets offer young people a huge range of activities and opportunities including sailing, catering, music, performing, knot work, teamwork and meteorology navigation.

Margate Sea Cadets secured a Youth Investment Fund grant of over £120K to renovate their building and support their youth service offer. Their old building was crying out for investment and modernisation. Now, with building works complete, young people can fully enjoy their newly renovated space. Demand is high, so there’s always a full house of around 30 young people at every session.

Paul Holton, Chair of Margate Sea and Royal Marine Cadets, says:

“We want every young person to thrive, have fun and gain skills for life and work, that’s why our service is so vital. We’re volunteer led, so everyone gives up their time for free to make sure young people have the best start in life.”

The Youth Investment Fund grant was used to renovate the Cadet Unit and extend the unit’s offer to young people. Building works included improvements to the kitchen, galley and mess deck, two modernised classrooms plus major upgrades to the toilets and shower unit. The greatly enhanced space means cadets can now enjoy the new kitchen and opportunities to cook together, plus having more space for games and adventures. Having a bigger activity space, upgraded showers and a new kitchen means that young people can enjoy more sleepovers and training activities. The building is more sustainable too, with improved electrics and heating, enhanced weather proofing and new lighting, including outside flood lighting. And the Cadet Unit is about to get an extra make-over thanks to some additional funds made available to paint the exterior walls.

Paul Holton, Chair of Margate Sea and Royal Marine Cadets added:

“Having more space and the enhanced features will give young people every opportunity to have fun, make friends and learn skills for life and work. Making new friends is a big part of our way of life. Every time the cadets come in, they put their phones down, and they don’t get touched until they leave.  The cadets are too busy talking to each other, socialising, learning, having fun and forging new relationships that can last a lifetime.”

You can find out more about the Margate Sea Cadets here.