Grimsby’s young people have moved one step closer to walking through the doors of their state-of-the art OnSide Youth Zone, as the construction phase of Horizon Youth Zone has begun.
A special celebration event took place on the site of what will be the new Youth Zone located in Grimsby town centre in the former West Haven Maltings and Migar House buildings. Key supporters then attended a reception at Docks Academy, joined by members of Horizon’s Young People’s Development Group who have played an integral role in the planning of the Youth Zone.
Horizon Youth Zone is being delivered by national charity OnSide, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council which is contributing towards the Youth Zone as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal. Other key supporters include Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ørsted, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, The Youth Investment Fund and private donors.
Expected to open in early 2025, the state-of-the-art youth centre will provide thousands of young people with opportunities to engage in activities and access support from skilled youth workers, helping them to develop their skills and reach their full potential. It will be open to young people aged between eight and 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), seven days a week, for just 50p a visit. Members will have access to an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, training kitchen, music room with a recording studio, fully equipped gym, dance and drama studio, 3G kick pitch, arts and crafts room, enterprise and employability suite.
Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity with a private-sector led board, and once opened will be part of the OnSide Network of 14 Youth Zones nationwide, supporting over 50,000 young people annually. Recruitment for the dedicated staff and volunteers needed to run the Youth Zone has already begun, with the Youth Zone in the process of recruiting its Chief Executive.
Chair of the Board, Jason Stockwood said: “As Chair of Horizon and someone who grew up in Grimsby, I am so proud we have reached this incredible milestone. This is a momentous day for all involved in Horizon Youth Zone.Our Trustees, generous funders, Young People’s Development Group and supporters are collectively making our dream for Grimsby’s young people a reality. It has been a long time coming, but we are delighted with the progress being made and it won’t be long before Grimsby’s young people can see the heritage buildings transformed into a space which they truly deserve. I want to thank everyone who has led us to this moment, it wouldn’t be possible without your incredible support”
Cllr Philip Jackson, the Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I speak on behalf of everyone at North East Lincolnshire Council when I say how delighted I am to see work starting to create what will be a wonderful centre for our young people.
“As an authority that has committed itself to building a stronger economy and stronger communities, it is vital that our adults of tomorrow are inspired to achieve, and to see there is opportunity for them here. Horizon will do just that and in doing so will help to create positive futures for many. That, in turn, will play a large part in improving the fortunes of North East Lincolnshire as a whole.
“We will also see a derelict and historically important building in our town centre reborn – supporting the wider regeneration of Grimsby Town Centre. I cannot wait to walk through the doors for the first time.”
Cllr Margaret Cracknell, North East Lincolnshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children and Education added: “Horizon, as the name suggests, will encourage our young people to reach beyond the horizons they currently see and strive to work towards living positive and enjoyable lives. There will be ambition too – to work with the great organisations that already support our young people and create a wealth of opportunity.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are extremely proud to be supporting this project and contributing to the important partnership work for heritage-led regeneration in Grimsby. It’s wonderful to think that, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, our investment will help create a new space in a fantastic heritage building, where local young people can come together to learn and develop skills for the future.”
Nick Temple, CEO for Social Investment Business, who are delivering the Youth Investment Fund said: “Every young person deserves access to high quality activities and facilities, providing the opportunities to help them thrive, and the Youth Investment Fund is making this vision a reality.
Horizon, OnSide’s Youth Zone in Grimsby was one of the first projects awarded a Youth Investment Fund grant, and once complete, it will reach up to 4000 young people. It’s hugely exciting to see that the project has entered its construction phase, developing this exciting new project designed for and by young people. It will give them new opportunities to develop skills for life and work, make connections, and have experiences that support their wellbeing.
This project in Grimsby is just one example of how the Youth Investment Fund is providing direct benefit to local communities and economies now, and also creating spaces and facilities for thousands of young people now and in the years ahead.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are extremely proud to be supporting this project and contributing to the important partnership work for heritage-led regeneration in Grimsby. It’s wonderful to think that, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, our investment will help create a new space in a fantastic heritage building, where local young people can come together to learn and develop skills for the future.”
Darren Ramshaw, Head of UK East Operations at Ørsted, said: “We are so proud to support such a fantastic development in Grimsby. Grimsby has been such a brilliant place to build the world’s largest offshore wind farms, and we’re just getting started! It’s so important to invest into the young people of the area to hopefully help them see the opportunities that are available. The work the Youth Zone will do is second to none, and today marks the start of a very exciting journey.”
Contractors Hobson and Porter have been selected to carry out the build. Preliminary works will take place over the next few months to prepare the ground and heritage-listed buildings ahead of the major build which will begin this summer. The Youth Zone is expected to open in early 2025. For further information, please visit: www.horizonyouthzone.org
Article and image from NELC.
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