Shelton Lock Scout and Guide Group’s brand new £1.2M youth space opens its doors

Young people at 1st Shelton Lock Scout and Guide Group, based in Derby, are excited to explore their new youth centre funded by the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund.

The brand-new space, called the Full Circle Centre, was declared open at a special celebration event on 1^st March 2025. Derby’s Youth Mayor, Sam Thiruvathilil and Deputy Youth Mayor, Alisha Ahmed joined children, young people, parents, trustees, funders and members of the community to celebrate the moment. Instead of a traditional ribbon cutting, young people ran through colourful ribbons to mark the occasion. It was a memorable day, made perfect when Scout Founder, Baden Powell’s 1929 Rolls Royce rolled up in honour of the new Full Circle Centre.

1st Shelton Lock Scout and Guide Group started their journey in a wooden hut built back in 1963. The old hut wasn’t viable, and the lease was uncertain. With the support of Derby City Council, the group found some new land with a long-term lease. With a plot secured, and a big ambition, 1st Shelton Lock Scout and Guide Group successfully bid for a Youth Investment Fund grant of over £1.2M. Since winning the grant, 1st Shelton Lock Scout and Guide Group, have been on an exciting journey, watching their purpose-built home take shape.

Sue Baker added:

“We’ve been very lucky to work with the amazing development team at Ipsum UK Ltd. It’s been a real partnership, exploring ideas together, drawing on their expertise and making our new home sustainable and eco-friendly. We also had the extra security of a Youth Investment Fund pre-construction grant, that meant we didn’t have to spend our reserves on upfront costs, like architect’s designs, surveys or paying for a quantity surveyor. That was an added bonus! The Youth Investment Fund has been game-changing and made our dreams a reality. Everyone is so excited about our brand-new home and looking forward to many new adventures for generations to come.”

The Full Circle Centre is in an ideal setting, close to the cycle path, and public transport, making it much more accessible. It’s surrounded by green space, giving young people lots of room for outdoor adventures and connecting with nature. The new centre is a bright, modern, accessible and warm space. It’s bigger and has plenty of space for activities and storing camping equipment. One of the building’s most unique features is its ceiling, when young people look up, they can see inspiring blue skies, clouds and trees. Its design will help the building blend seamlessly with its surroundings, giving it a sense of lightness and connection to the local environment.

Young people have been at the heart of the Full Circle Centre’s development, playing a key role in the decision-making process. It’s fantastic to see how much care has gone into ensuring that this new building not only meets functional needs but also reflects the community’s values around sustainability and inclusivity. Young people say they love the new building:

“I like it because it was built for us!”

“It feels so new and has little cool features and a huge TV!”