Young people in Redditch celebrate as their new dream youth space

The Den is ‘Your Ideas’ new state-of-the art-youth space, funded by the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund. Based in Woodrow, Redditch, Your Ideas want to ensure every young person has access to activities and support that is right for them, creating environments that are appropriate, so they feel comfortable, valued, and nurtured. As their name says “Your Ideas” put young people’s voices front and centre; they wanted to create a youth space that young people can identify with and call their own.

The £1.4 million Youth Investment Fund grant has transformed young people’s opportunities in Woodrow and across Redditch. After a year in development, The Den is now open to young people. It’s a fantastic new space that young people and the whole community can enjoy. Young people, families and the community will join together on 5^th October for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and fun-packed open family day to celebrate the new youth space.

The new space is exactly what young people wanted. It’s got industrial and urban feel – with lots of neon lights and exposed galvanized steelwork. The building is sustainable and accessible, so no young person will miss out on the fantastic facilities and new opportunities to have fun, make new friends, and explore their passions. Having a bigger space means that Your Ideas, who already run a youth space in Matchborough, can reach even more young people.

Young people at New Ideas shared their excitement about The Den.

“It’s so good and nice, thank you for doing this here. I love the sports hall so much.”

“It’s a good design, good cozy corner, it’s cool. I was waiting for this to open for so long.”

“The games room is cool, I can meet my friends here and hang out, everyone is so nice here.”

“I can’t believe I can come here every week; I told my friends on snap about it.”

Joran Cooke added:

“Thanks are due to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for funding The Den, to our Project Managers and Architects at John Harris Associates, and the local construction firm Leon Building Services. We also want to say a huge thank you to the local community for bearing with us during the construction phase. Your support has been fantastic. Most importantly I want to thank all the young people who played such a significant role in shaping The Den and all it has to offer. We really do have a dream space that both young people and the whole community can enjoy.”

The Den has a huge sports hall, so there is plenty of space to get active. The sports theme continues outside too, with a large, tarmacked playground and garden space. Having the outside space is so important as there’s nothing else like it in the local area.

The Den has a double-sized kitchen space and will be an inspiring place to experiment with cooking, healthy eating and learning new life skills. There’s a gaming room and plenty of space to “chill out” with friends. The Den’s downstairs area is the youth centre’s “get creative” space.