A pinkie promise that comes to life!
We recently visited Southend’s newest aspiring Social Enterprise – The Hang Out Venue. One venue with two functions.
We got to see the great new facilities and chatted with Kasia Zielinski-Rushforth owner and founder of the new children’s hang out centre aimed at eight- to twelve-year-olds and their well-behaved adults!
The idea came from a holiday to Lapland, where Kasia and her family got to experience a similar venue they all enjoyed using. Kasia’s son, then aged eight, loved the gaming and entertainment area, and after visualising what their version of this venue would look like back home in Southend-On-Sea, they ‘pinkie promised’ they would make it happen.
10 months later, The Hang Out Venue has been created! A safe space for kids aged eight-to-twelve-year-old to relax, game and chill combined with a space where adults can grab a coffee and relax too. Kasia wanted to create a venue for children to connect with friends old and new outside of the home.
Evenings, weekends and school holidays are dedicated to the children using The Hang Out Venue, offering a safe and fun environment where children can hang out with friends, stretch their boundaries, and create lasting memories.
During term time, while the children are at school the venue is available to hire. It is a relaxed professional accessible venue, with capacity for fifty delegates. Perfect for product launches, breakfast and networking meetings, business meetings, charity, school or community groups, events and training and more.
Kasia, an experienced Business Manager and PA, understands the needs for meeting venues, and knows how difficult it is to find accessible venues centrally located. The Hang Out Venue offers these facilities. Combining professional meeting venue facilities, with relaxed break out areas, with access to gaming and centrally located, Kasia knew this venue could offer two functions.
Kasia needed business advice to get things off the ground, knowing she wanted to create a social enterprise, she wanted to be a business that does good. She was recommended the Southend Business Lift-off Programme. A free business support programme for those just starting out or wanting to grow.
‘’I needed to do a business plan and budgets. I was recommended the Southend Business Lift-off and was introduced to Victoria Elliott Potter. Vicky was really approachable and logical; she didn’t tell me what to do but she checked my thinking which was really helpful.
The advice was very accessible, and tailored for me, helping me when I really needed it.
I needed advice for writing and articulating the business plan – the support I received was really helpful.
I would definitely recommend that others in similar situation join this free programme. I knew the advice I was getting was kosher. It’s a programme linked with the local council. It is a great support network’’
As a social enterprise The Hang Out Venue is committed to reinvesting at least 50% of their surplus or profit every year, and with plans to buy a minibus and beach hut in the future, Kasia wants to make a difference, allowing the local community opportunities that are not currently available to all.
The business will employ four staff members, contributing to the local job market. This venture is not only a fulfilment of a family dream but also a significant addition to the community, providing a much-needed space for children and families to connect and relax together.
For more information how the Southend Business Lift-off programme could help your Southend business please visit the website.
The Southend Business Lift-Off programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This programme is funded until the 31st of March 2025.
Deyton Bell are delivering the programme in partnership with Southend-on-Sea City Council.
Deyton Bell and the team at the Southend Business Lift-off programme are delighted to have supported Kasia from business concept through to the business opening its doors in October via the free support on the Southend Business Lift-off programme. We look forward to seeing the business flourish. For more information on The Hang Out Venue please visit the website.