Focus on what youngsters want at new youth zone

Youth workers at a new centre say they need to "understand what it's like being a young person in Crewe" ahead of their opening in the Cheshire town later this year.

Work is nearly finished on the Dome in the town centre, with the building watertight and internal works set to begin.

Kelly Prince, head of youth work for the centre, said the team have been out meeting young people in the area.

"The work doesn't start when the building opens," she said.

Prince has spent 20 years working in what is called detached youth work, which focuses on going out and meeting young people in spaces where they gather and "on their terms".

"Lots of young people wouldn't just step through the door without a relationship or a face that they're familiar with," she said.

"It's really important for us to understand what it's like being a young person in Crewe right now so we can develop our programme."

The Dome is run by a charity and is part of the national OnSide network of youth centres.

The building is one of the projects funded through the government's Towns Fund, after £22.9m was awarded to Crewe in 2021.

The building is now being fitted out, ahead of a planned opening this autumn and will include a sports hall, an artificial football pitch on the roof, a gym, boxing ring, dance studio and climbing wall.

There will also be areas for other activities, including a kitchen where both young people and their parents can learn new cookery skills.

Although there has been funding for the building and a contribution to running costs from the local council, the charity also raises funds through partnerships with local businesses.

Ellen Birchenough, their head of fundraising communications, said they wanted to get as many people behind them in the community as possible.

The latest government data shows this area is one of the most deprived in England and future career opportunities are a focus for the centre.

Birchenough said the businesses involved were vital.

"We have a pipeline of amazing young people," she said.

"We want to bridge that gap between young and businesses, so we can leave a legacy after they leave the youth zone and make sure that they're employment ready, make sure they've developed skills and make sure businesses in the area have the right people for the job.

"That in itself will help the whole economy."

One of the businesses involved with the centre is luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors, which is headquartered in the town and employs about 4,000 people.

"We are a Crewe-based brand and a lot of our people are from Crewe. Looking after our local community is very important to us," said Sally Hepton, from the company.

"We've been founders and supporters of the university technical college in town, we do a lot of school outreach so the youth zone was a really obvious link for us to get involved.

"We know there's a lack of things for young people in the area and the youth zone is a real fit to tackle that, it's going to give them great opportunities."

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