A NEW action-packed youth hub has opened in St Helens following a government investment of more than £1.4m.
The Youth Investment Fund of the UK Government has funded the transformation of a portion of the YMCA facility on College Street in St Helens.
The youth hub’s location hasn’t seen renovations since the 1970s, according to YMCA executives, who claimed the “building was crying out for modernisation”.
Construction has moved quickly to renovate, expand, and convert underutilised space into the new centre, which offers two main zones, since financing was revealed in August of last year.There is a place to “get creative” and “get active” downstairs, as well as a new youth café, upstairs.
A performing arts studio, a green screen for photography, film, and digital skills, and a performance area are all part of the creative space.
Getting active
Getting active is part of the ethos, according to YMCA management, which is why there are several sports available, including football and dancing, as well as a brand-new bouldering wall.
In the meantime, the café offers a place to unwind, play pool or table tennis, and enjoy a meal and a beverage.
The youth workers at the venue endeavour to ensure that everyone is fed properly and receives food if they are hungry.
Additionally, the café offers cooking seminars that provide an opportunity to learn life skills.
By attending to the unique needs of each young person, leaders strive to enhance their wellbeing and lower the likelihood that they may experience mental health issues.
The principle is “a place to be safe, comfortable, happy and be yourself” .
The newly expanded youth hub has “virtually doubled the space and means it can support an additional 175 young people every week,” according to YMCA St Helens executives.
Although there will be some services for individuals in the 18 to 25 age bracket, it is largely for those between the ages of 11 and 18.
Young people in the area have already participated in “taster activities” before the official launch this week to get a feel for the new location.
To showcase the new facilities, the venue hosted a celebration event on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
‘I felt like an impossible dream’
The Department of Culture, Media, and Sport provided the £1,472,851,00 Youth Investment Fund award, which is being administered by Social Investment Business in collaboration with the National Youth Agency, Key Fund, and Resonance.
Director of development at St Helens YMCA Matthew Moreton reflected on delivering the youth hub and asking for the money, saying, “It’s been a rollercoaster road! What began as a modest concept that nobody thought would materialise developed into something more audacious.
“It was like a fantasy come true! We were a little taken aback when we received our funding from the Youth Investment Fund.
Naturally, there have been some difficulties along the road, but our goal has always the same: giving young people an incredible experience.
We’ve been holding out for this ideal kids hub for a very long time.
“Everyone’s smile has been brought on by the joy of witnessing young kids enter the area and express amazement.
The Youth Investment Fund has made it possible for young people to have a welcoming, stimulating, and safe place of their own.
The area that is currently the youth hub wasn’t renovated since the 1970s before obtaining the funds. Modernisation was desperately needed for the building. It has now been changed into a youth area that is approachable, sustainable, and relatable to young people.
There are two primary zones in the building. There is a place to “Get Creative” and a new Youth Café upstairs, and a space to “Get Active” downstairs.
Young people will also have access to “Y Mentoring” through the Youth Hub, where they will be matched with a qualified adult volunteer from the community and get one-on-one mentoring support for a maximum of twelve months.
In an effort to lessen the need for future more intensive support, “The Listening Service” will expand its one-on-one support for young people seeking assistance to improve their mental health. This will be achieved through a combination of formal 12-week one-on-one listening support and brief 30-minute “drop in chats.”
In collaboration with young people who have received help from The Listening Service (a division of YMCA St Helens), the new youth hub was designed.
The organisers of the venue claim that “more than anything young people said they wanted the space to be safe, a place where they could be comfortable and happy, and a place to be themselves” .
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