Weymouth West Air Scouts hub to get massive refurb
They're one of 140 youth groups in England to get Government funding
The Weymouth West Air Scouts group is the only youth centre in Dorset to be awarded Government funding today (Saturday 3rd Feburary), to improve their facilities.
The hut in Granby Close is getting £873,828 towards a massive refurbishment.
That'll include a new shower room, extended kitchen and three breakout rooms, which will double the building's size and means they'll be able to hold multiple activities at the same time.
All the work will mean they can work with an additional 80 young people every week.
It's all part of the Government's Youth Investment Fund, totalling more than £90 million, to support 140 youth centres across England.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:
“I want to see every young person have someone to talk to, something to do, and somewhere to go outside of the classroom, no matter where they are from, to help maximise their potential in life.
“This next round of funding from the Youth Investment Fund will help nearly 20,000 more young people achieve this goal.
“We have now committed to building or refurbishing over 220 projects in some of the country’s most underserved areas, creating more opportunities for young people to gain the skills needed to succeed in life and stopping them from falling through the cracks.”
The Youth Investment Fund has now allocated £250 million of its more than £300 million budget to services in areas of the country where need is high and provision is low.
It will engage young people most in need, including those that might have otherwise been at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour or falling out of education, training or employment.
This is the latest announcement that forms part of the Government’s ambition to make sure young people are supported with positive and engaging opportunities both in and outside of school hours.
Denise Hatton, Chair of Back Youth Alliance said:
"We are delighted that nearly 20,000 young people will be able to access new and refurbished youth clubs through the latest instalment of the National Youth Guarantee.
"With mental health, loneliness and anti-social behaviour all on the rise, now more than ever young people need a safe space to go, a trusted adult to speak to and access to positive activities in their communities all year round."
Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), said:
“This multi million-pound investment is so much more than skateparks, sports halls and art rooms. It’s an investment in the resilience, confidence and independence of young people, which thanks to the on-going impact of a pandemic and cost of living crisis, has never been more needed.
“We at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award know first-hand that when you invest in young people, there is no limit to what they can achieve. The government’s National Youth Guarantee has brought the DofE to thousands of young people in England for the first time, breaking down barriers and providing life-shaping activities and volunteering opportunities.”
The Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’ aims to ensure every young person aged 11-18 in England has access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities by 2025, backed by an investment of over £500 million.