22 June 2023
Grimsby’s young people have moved one step closer to walking through the doors of their state-of-the art OnSide Youth Zone, as the construction phase of Horizon Youth Zone has begun. Horizon Youth Zone was one of the first 43 projects to be awarded a Youth Investment Fund grant, announced in March 2023.
A special celebration event took place on the site of what will be the new Youth Zone located in Grimsby town centre in the former West Haven Maltings and Migar House buildings. Key supporters then attended a reception at Docks Academy, joined by members of Horizon’s Young People’s Development Group who have played an integral role in the planning of the Youth Zone.
Horizon Youth Zone is being delivered by national charity OnSide, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council which is contributing towards the Youth Zone as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal. Other key supporters include Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ørsted, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, the Youth Investment Fund and private donors.
Expected to open in early 2025, the state-of-the-art youth centre will provide thousands of young people with opportunities to engage in activities and access support from skilled youth workers, helping them to develop their skills and reach their full potential. It will be open to young people aged between eight and 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), seven days a week, for just 50p a visit. Members will have access to an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, training kitchen, music room with a recording studio, fully equipped gym, dance and drama studio, 3G kick pitch, arts and crafts room, enterprise and employability suite.
Chair of the Board, Jason Stockwood said:
“As Chair of Horizon and someone who grew up in Grimsby, I am so proud we have reached this incredible milestone. This is a momentous day for all involved in Horizon Youth Zone.Our Trustees, generous funders, Young People’s Development Group and supporters are collectively making our dream for Grimsby’s young people a reality. It has been a long time coming, but we are delighted with the progress being made and it won’t be long before Grimsby’s young people can see the heritage buildings transformed into a space which they truly deserve. I want to thank everyone who has led us to this moment, it wouldn’t be possible without your incredible support.”
Every young person deserves access to high quality activities and facilities, providing the opportunities to help them thrive, and the Youth Investment Fund is making this vision a reality. Horizon, OnSide’s Youth Zone in Grimsby was one of the first projects awarded a Youth Investment Fund grant, and once complete, it will reach up to 4000 young people. It’s hugely exciting to see that the project has entered its construction phase, developing this exciting new project designed for and by young people. It will give them new opportunities to develop skills for life and work, make connections, and have experiences that support their wellbeing. This project in Grimsby is just one example of how the Youth Investment Fund is providing direct benefit to local communities and economies now, and also creating spaces and facilities for thousands of young people now and in the years ahead.
Nick Temple
CEO for Social Investment Business
Local contractors, Hobson and Porter have been selected to carry out the build. Preliminary works will take place over the next few months to prepare the ground and heritage-listed buildings ahead of the major build which will begin this summer. The Youth Zone is expected to open in early 2025.
If you have questions about the fund, please visit our FAQs page or contact us via
+44 (0) 20 3096 7900
yif@sibgroup.org.uk
