The building was officially opened by Satvir Kuar MP for Southampton Test. She was joined by Terry Norton, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Peter Noth, Chair of Trustees at Youth Options in welcoming people to the celebrations and have the opportunity to see the amazing newly renovated youth hub.
Prior to being awarded a Youth Investment Fund grant, MP3 was used as a starting point for Youth Options’ outreach youth work at Mansell Park, but due to the tired facilities, the building was a real barrier to connecting with the young people in Millbrook. It was old, uninviting and energy inefficient and was not a space that young people would identify with. The building is based in the west of Southampton in an area of need. Young people needed a safe and warm space to have fun with friends, learn new skills, and to have access to support from a trusted adult.
Once funding was confirmed, Youth Options worked with young people in the area through street-based youth work to help develop a space and activities that they could connect with and have a sense of responsibility for. Working with Studio Four Architects in the re-design and Q Two Consulting, as surveyors and project managers on the development of the site, the project has seen the building transformed into a new space for young people to enjoy throughout the week. It has become an inviting, colourful space that can be used both by children and young people in the area, but also by the wider local community. The newly renovated space includes a new community café, counselling room, activity room and youth space. 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 relax with friends.
The building’s old large hall has been divided up, creating a new youth space, a smaller activity room and a counselling room that can be used for running sessions on issues like sexual health and supporting young people with managing their mental health and well-being. Young people will be able to take part in many new activities such as a youth theatre and evening and holiday youth sessions, as well as boxing with Golden Ring Boxing Club, and a creative project in partnership with another charity that uses music to engage young people in vocals, learning instruments and song writing.
The old youth space was costly to run and inefficient. Now the Youth Options centre has a much-improved carbon footprint including an air source heat pump which will make a huge difference. It’s a bright and light space. The addition of glass panels and doors has opened the space, and allows light to flood in.
Young person attending MP3 Youth Centre said:
“I attended MP3 for the first time tonight, staff are awesome and actually listen to me. I enjoyed the evening having somewhere to go that’s open and welcoming and keeps me busy and off the streets.”
