THE building replacing Castlegate youth service has opened after a £326,000 overhaul.

The old Sycamore House has reopened as 30 Clarence Street, and will be the new city centre facility providing a range of services for both young and older people.

It will house the young people’s services previously at Castlegate, and will provide a drop-in and specialist advice, guidance and support service for young people aged 16-18 who are not in education, employment and training.

There will also be counselling for young people aged 16-25, and information and advice on health matters, relationships, housing and benefits, learning and working will also be available.

Cllr Stuart Rawlings, City of York’s executive member for education, children and young people, said: “I’m delighted that young people’s services can now be delivered from a modern, accessible city centre venue in an area already frequented by many young people.”

The adults’ mental health recovery service will also be based at 30 Clarence Street and will offer support, advice and guidance to people who are referred to it.

As well as this support, people will also be able to access training and placement schemes, working on reception or in the cafe, to help them develop their skills and confidence.

There is a refurbished explore reading café on the site, and the council is leasing office space on the first floor to York Mind and York Pathways.

Later in the year, the building will also welcome ‘The Haven’, and an evening service will provide a safe and supportive environment for people experiencing mental distress from 6pm to 11pm, seven days a week.

Cllr Carol Runciman, executive member for health, added: “Thirty Clarence Street promises to be a great facility for our residents to access a host of information, advice and support.

“The opening later this year of ‘The Haven’ will be another invaluable addition, supporting those who need it outside daytime hours.

“This service will add to the support available through our mental health recovery service, and follows the announcement of an £80,000 contract that the council has recently awarded to York Mind, alongside a number of voluntary and community sector partners, to deliver mental health support activities in the community.

"This all shows our commitment to improving mental health support across the city.”

The opening of ‘The Haven’ was made possible by a successful £178,000 funding bid to the Department for Health.

City of York Council has provided the other £148,000 to refurbish 30 Clarence Street.