About
The UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund was the largest investment in the youth estate in more than half a century. Over £300M invested in rebuilding and expanding youth spaces in England, in places where they were needed most.
Over the last three plus years, we’ve supported over 270 youth organisations to complete and open their buildings, and tens of thousands of young people are reaping the benefits. The fund has put young people in the driving seat, delivering safe and modern spaces, made by and for young people.
The Youth Investment Fund has supported youth centres of all shapes and sizes. From small scout huts and community youth centres to large local authority multi-site youth centres, from Liverpool to Lowestoft and from Sunderland to Southampton.
The Youth Investment Fund will have a legacy that is felt for decades, not only through state-of-the-art spaces and high-quality youth work, but through the momentum created to restore the sector and raise ambitions for what can be achieved with and for young people.
Impact
Investing in young people
- 276 youth centres funded
- Almost 50K additional young people per week will use these spaces
- More than 1 in 7 young people will live within a 35-minute walk of a new or improved youth service
- 1.25 million opportunities for young people to access multiple youth centres in England, funded by the Youth Investment Fund.
- 174,000 young people will live within walking distance of a youth centre in areas of the country with the most anti-social behaviour.
Making funding accessible
Some organisations needed more support to make their dreams a reality. Pre-Construction Grants and a Central Support Offer helped them advance their projects confidently.
90% of grantees said the Central Support Offer equipped them to achieve their goals.
Pre-construction grants unlocked £71.8m of capital funding, reaching an additional 11,250 young people
Shaped by young people
Youth spaces shaped by young people, not just built for them.
“It’s built by young people, for young people.”
“This is the place that’s making my dreams come true.”
Spotlight on The Lowdown
The Youth Investment Fund has supported youth centres of all shapes and sizes. From small scout huts and community youth centres to large local authority multi-site youth centres, from Liverpool to Lowestoft and from Sunderland to Southampton. Grants were tailored to meet the needs of youth projects, from modest refurbishments through to multi-million-pound Youth Zones.
Tens of thousands of young people are already enjoying their new spaces every week. Spaces like The Lowdown in Northampton.
