Paul Hardie

Paul Hardie, 26, was one of the first members of the CAFÉ (Community Alcohol Free Environment) when it opened in 1996. Based in Arbroath, this is a one-stop shop for leisure, culture, health, education, and employment facilities for young people and the community. He has completely thrown himself into the project, initially working there for 30 hours a week, despite having a full-time job. He was formally Chairman of the Board of Directors (2001-2004), and has led youth exchanges between Scotland and Germany as part of the ‘Street Football for All’ project, which he initiated, and which is now being replicated across Scotland.

When he was 16, Paul was one of the first users of the CAFÉ Project in Angus (one of the most deprived areas of Scotland). The CAFÉ Project aims to provide a sociable alternative to ‘life on the streets’ for young people in the area and provides a range of alcohol-and-drug-free activities in partnership with the local authority. As a teenager, Paul developed and chaired the first Youth Committee for the CAFÉ and then joined the Management Committee.

Paul is completely committed to the CAFÉ. He is responsible for the projects website; edits a monthly newsletter, which is distributed across Scotland to politicians, churches, youth groups, and major funders; issues regular press releases; has negotiated an Agency Agreement with the local authority; assists young people with IT skills; and designed and commissioned the project’s internet café, securing funding from Scottish Enterprise Tayside for its upgrading. He has worked with the Scottish Executive and Parliament to shape policy towards drug and alcohol, health and physical activity issues, and has been interviewed for television regarding these topics. Coming from a deprived background himself, he has first hand experience with these issues.

Despite having a full-time job as a Police Officer, Paul gives a considerable number of hours a week to the CAFÉ, and has devoted his holidays to leading youth exchanges between Scotland and Germany. He also instigated CAFE’s ‘Street Football for All’ project and has developed this into a Scotland-wide initiative. Other towns in Angus now have projects modelled on CAFÉ. The project has also fulfilled its aim to reduce drug-and-alcohol-related crime in the local area, drawing praise from the Chief Inspector of Tayside Police.

“The influence of Paul’s enthusiasm and leadership as an example to other young people and adults alike cannot be overstated. He is himself a beacon of light for many disadvantaged young people, a ray of hope for others who are aspiring to become active in this community but most of all he is an example to the community he serves.”

Joe Barker, Former Area Community Education Officer, Angus Council

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