Youth Options believe that with quality youth work every young person has the potential to realise their abilities and aspirations and to make a valuable contribution to their communities. They are committed to developing young people’s social and emotional skills to improve their chances in life.
Unlocking barriers
Right now, Youth Option’s building is a real barrier to connecting with young people in Southampton. It’s old and uninviting and doesn’t feel like a space that young people would identify with. It’s also inefficient and costs too much to heat. It’s based in a deprived part of the city, with high levels of anti-social behaviour, including knife crime. Young people need somewhere to be safe, to have fun with friends, learn new skills for life, and to share their worries with a trusted adult.
Youth Options CEO, Madeleine Durie says:
“Our building is a soulless place, and it just doesn’t have a youth centre feel. The building is a barrier to growing numbers of young people who have nothing to do outside of school and home. When you first come through the door it feels like an old swimming pool, rather than a vibrant youth hub.”
A haven for young people
A grant of over £1.2 million from the Youth Investment Fund will now make a lasting difference, creating a safe and vibrant haven for young people. It will fund a major renovation, including a new community café and training centre. The café will be a great place for young people to access training skills in catering and hospitality, especially those not in education, employment, and training (NEET), as well as being a great place to chill with friends.
Youth Options indoor space will be transformed too. Its large and inviting hall will be divided up, creating a new activity space and a counselling room that can be used for running sessions on issues like sexual health and risky behaviour. Young people will be able to take part in lots of new activities too as well as reaching more young people with existing activities including boxing and a creative project in partnership with another charity that uses music to engage young people in recording vocals, learning instruments and song writing.
The Youth Investment Fund will transform our space, creating a safe haven for young people in Southampton. It means our vision for supporting every young person to reach their full potential and improve their chances in life through quality youth work will soon become a reality.
Madeleine Durie
CEO for Youth Options
A warm safe place
Youth Options put young people at the centre of their plans. One of their young ambassadors has helped engage other young people in thinking about the new look centre. Young people said that they wanted somewhere warm and safe, somewhere to chill, a place to get something to eat, and a space to hang out with their friends.
Once complete Youth Options will have a much-improved carbon footprint including an air source heat pump which will make a huge difference. It will also fund a new look entrance, that’s inviting, with lots of glass panels so you can immediately see it’s a vibrant place with a real “youth feel.”
