Putting young people front and centre
N-Gage was founded by Christie Spurling MBE in 2006 in response to his own experiences of educational exclusion. He believes in being part of the solution and all the programmes he has set up for N-Gage aim to look at young people as a whole person. Christie and the team at N-Gage are committed to encouraging all young people to be an active and positive part of their community, in school and out. N-Gage has a simple mission; to do all they can to support young people to reach their full potential, and to ensure that young people are front and centre of everything they do.
N-Gage supports young people through their youth centre and outreach work via their Youth Engagement Van. Through their outreach work in South Manchester, they target young people in areas with little or no youth provision. They believe in a blended approach, as not all young people want to come into a youth centre, and some just can’t get there.
A space that wasn’t fit for purpose
N-Gage opened its Catalyst Youth Centre in Burnage in 2016. Even at that time, the building was a compromise as it wasn’t fit for purpose. With limited funding they repaired the building, and made it safe, but it still wasn’t a space suitable for targeted youth work. It was expensive to heat and there was a lot of empty space that they couldn’t use, and there was nowhere for small group work or 1-1 engagement sessions. Most of the space was one big room, that doesn’t meet the needs of all young people. They made the most of it and offered young people the opportunity to meet in a safe space, have fun and engage in a variety of activities delivered by trained youth workers, including art and crafts, music, pool, table tennis, games consoles and team games.
A golden opportunity
N-Gage wanted to find a new home for their youth work offer, in a space designed around young people’s needs. The Youth Investment Fund offered a golden opportunity to create a brand-new space.
As part of the Youth Investment Fund programme, Manchester City Council has been awarded funding for six partner-led youth services, including N-Gage Catalyst Youth Centre, Nacro Outdoor Learning Centre in Wythenshawe Park, Unity Arts in Chorlton, Old Moat Youth Outreach Project, 4CT in Miles Platting, and Newton Heath and Rainbow Surprise/Groundwork (partnership) in Crumpsall Park.
Modern Method of Construction
The funding will build the new youth spaces using modern methods of construction. This modular approach means that large sections of a building are manufactured in a factory, transported to site and are craned into position. Some of the benefits include faster construction on-site, reduced site disruption, reduced vehicle movements around the site, eliminating unnecessary waste and improving build quality. The design of each youth space has been adapted and modified to meet the site and group’s particular needs.
The current N-Gage Catalyst building is being demolished and replaced with a brand-new modular youth centre. When the work completes, N-Gage will have a youth space created around young people’s needs.
