Netherley Youth and Community Initiative celebrate their 30th Birthday and open a brand-new youth centre

Netherley Youth and Community Initiative is celebrating its 30^th Birthday on 26 November 2024. It’s a double celebration of both reflecting on their work over the last three decades and opening their brand-new youth centre funded by a £2.687,572.00 grant from the Youth Investment Fund. It’s a celebration for everyone in the community, especially for young people, who are excited about their amazing new space.

To mark the occasion, Netherley Youth and Community Initiative has invited children, young people, families and partners to a special open day on Friday 22 November. It’s an opportunity to explore the new youth centre and take part in some creative and sports taster sessions, including a coaching session run by Liverpool Football Foundation.

Established in 1994, Netherley Youth and Community Initiative is located in Belle Vale, Liverpool. They offer something for everyone in the community. Sharon Williams, Project Manager for Netherley Youth and Community Initiative describes their work as a multi-generational “Cradle to Grave” offer to the local community.

Sharon Williams, Project Manager for Netherley Youth and Community Initiative, adds:

“We can’t believe how lucky we’ve been. We’d waited 20 years for major investment, and Belle View is often overlooked. We’re based in a deprived area, and there’s not enough for young people to do round here. Young people are at risk of exploitation, drugs and gang wars.”

“Now we can keep more young people off the streets and give them every opportunity to thrive and explore their passions in a safe space. The new space means we can double the number of young people coming through our doors every week.”

Netherley Youth and Community Initiative secured initial development funds from the National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities Programme and the Steve Morgan Foundation to construct a new wing on an existing building, but they needed more funding to enable them to make the most of the space, make it sustainable and reach more young people. The Youth Investment Fund offered a golden opportunity to transform their space.

The community space is based in a disused church. The Youth Investment Fund grant has enabled them to create a mezzanine floor – instantly doubling the available space. The funding has also enabled the centre to make the space sustainable with the addition of a new roof and windows, reducing energy usage and running costs. The funding has also enabled the team to develop their youth workers, with enhanced youth qualifications.

The mezzanine has been transformed into a play and development space for young people, including a creative area for music, art and drama, a digital hub and chill-out space. Getting online is something young people wanted, so there’s access to Wi-Fi both in the centre and in the outside spaces. There’s also a brand-new kitchen – where young people can get involved with cooking, making pizzas and much more.

The funding has also enabled Netherley Youth and Community Initiative to develop the outside space, including a multi-games area, and a garden allotment where young people can get involved with growing their own produce. The team have strong links with the Liverpool Football Foundation who offer regular football coaching sessions for all age groups.

Everything in the new youth hub has been developed around young people’s hopes and dreams. Most of all they wanted to have more sessions and opportunities to get online, get fit and creative, as well as a place to chill out with their friends. Their brand-new space is somewhere that young people can call their own. It’s a place where they will have every opportunity to have fun, make new friends and learn skills for life and work.