News: Jade is Rotherham's best established young business

Social entrepreneurs Sam Oldroyd, 29 and John Leaver, 26 have won the award for the Business Link-sponsored Best Established Business at the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2010 for their not for profit community youth project Jade - a drop in centre and workshop for young people in the Kiveton area.

It all started 12 years ago when the pair set up Red Road Music - a way for local kids to learn how to be a DJ and perform in front of crowds. Now the trained youth workers run the centre in order to engage young people in positive activities, with the aim of bringing down the local crime rate.

The design of the facility is new and cutting edge. It is kitted out with a 50" plasma screen, XBox 360, state of the art DJ equipment and recording facilites, and a studio workstation for people wanting to learn all about music production. Jade works with over 150 young people per week.

In addition, Jade organises state of the art dance events that are usually reserved for towns and cities.

Sam said: "The issues young people face these days are different. Kiveton pit closed in 1995 and life changed dramatically for young people around here.

"The drop in centre gives us the opportunity to understand the issues young people are facing and tackle them gradually. We don't shy away from the task, we're passionate about what we do - and it works - the crime rate has dropped."

The overall winner of the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010 will be announced in October.

Jade website
Rotherham Investment and Development Office

Images: RiDO