On a sunny Friday afternoon in September 2025 we were delighted to welcome Julie Kent MBE, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire and a whole host of other guests to The Door’s new offices in Stroud for our ‘official opening’.

Situated at the bottom of Parliament Street, The Door’s offices can now be found (above the laundrette) in Unit 3, The Cross. GL5 1DP

The afternoon flew by with speeches from CEO Victoria and our Treasurer (Trustee) Graham as well as Julie Kent MBE and Young Leader Holly.

Holly said: “I felt so honoured to be asked to open the office. At first I was quite confused why they would ask a young person to open an office. And then I slowly realised how much The Door appreciated me and all that I do for them as a young leader, youth voice rep and young person.

Being part of The Door means being part of a wider community of helping. Whether you’re helping or receiving help. It doesn’t matter. Help is what brings us together and being on both ends of this has really opened my wider perspective of life. The Door is where I feel the most at home and it’s given me a safe space not only to grow up but to thrive.”

Refreshments (supported by the Stroud Wine Company) were served throughout by volunteers and enjoyed by all.

After the event Julie posted on LinkedIn: “It was an honour to officially open the new offices of The Door  in Stroud with Holly, a young leader & chair of the youth voice board. Pretty impressive at the age of 16.”

Their mission is ‘Unlocking Potential and Opening Opportunities for all young people aged 11-25 and their families’ and what impressed me the most apart from the warm welcome from the Trustees, friends & young people was Holly telling me about the support she had received a few years ago followed by the encouragement to lead now & how the views of the young people are paramount in what the charity does.”

Find out more about life at The Door by reading our latest report, or by viewing news and updates at thedoor.org.uk/news.

You can also sign up to receive regular monthly updates (for free!) as a Friend of The Door at thedoor.org.uk/friends.