Business owners, Paul and Jo Phillips, have offered their shop to act as a drop-in space for teens as part of Lithgow’s Subliminal mental health festival. 

Festival director, Anna Carter, announced her goal of establishing a permanent space for Lithgow’s youth at the festival’s opening on March 25^th.

“I am hoping to create a drop-in centre towards the end of the month, for 2 days a week, when retailers close and young people are often in the park,” she said.

“I hope it provides some routine, as a lot of young people don’t have the money to spend on activities and restaurants, it will just provide a place to hang out with friends.”

Ms Carter has not yet secured a permanent drop-in space, but in the meantime the Phillips family are offering their store on Thursday evenings from 5-8pm, starting from April 6. 

“We just thought we’d provide our store as a lead into when Anna gets the space to generate interest and get people talking about it,” Mr Phillips said. 

“Depending on how it goes we might keep it running until the end of winter, because it’s a down period of the year.”

The drop-in space will host a drawing workshop by graphic artist, Matthew Lin, at 6.30pm on Thursday April 6.

“We’ll have snacks and board games. People can play cards or chat with friends, or even just sit and read.

“I know what it was like growing up locally. There’s pressure to be better at school, at sport. We are giving young people somewhere to be themselves and leave those expectations that may be weighing heavily on their minds, as well as something to look forward to the next week.”

Not only are the Phillips volunteering their space and time, they are also covering the costs of running the drop-in service.

“We believe in this. In the grand scheme of things it’s not a lot but it’s something,” Mr Phillips said.