Youth centre opens to 'raise aspirations'

An £8.6m facility for children and young people in North East Lincolnshire has officially opened.

Horizon Youth Zone in Grimsby is based at the former West Haven Maltings and Migar House site and offers sports, arts and social spaces for those aged eight to 19.

The project's CEO, Lucy Ottewell-Key said their mission was to raise the aspirations of young people.

The centre is part of the OnSide network, a charity that builds youth centres across the UK. The project has been funded by North East Lincolnshire Council, local businesses and charitable donations.

Membership opened for the new Youth Zone in November, and nearly a thousand youngsters have already signed up.

The centre expects to welcome over 4,000 young people within its first year of opening.

Twenty activities are on offer each night ranging from football, climbing and media to skating, DJ-ing, drama and employability training with entry costing just 50p along with a £5 membership.

Lord Jason Stockwood, co-owner and former chair of Grimsby Town Football Club and the UK Minister for investment is the chair of the board for the Horizon Youth Zone. He grew up in Grimsby said it was an emotional day for him.

"Young people here they deserve a world class building, and world class youth provision.

"I'm a council estate kid from the town. I went to youth clubs, and it was partly that having those trusted adults and having, you know, people that showed that they invested in me, that gave me the support and inspiration.

"We need that youth work to make sure people feel valued and that they can reach their full ambition," he said.

Ottewell-Key said the facility was going to have a big impact across the community.

"It really is about lighting the fire, about raising aspirations. That is what horizon Youth Zone is about, looking beyond your limits."

Eighteen-year-old Jake Tinmurth and Bailey Thomas helped design and develop the project.

Bailey said Grimsby was struggling and needed improving. He said the centre would give young people in the area help and support.

"It's going to help them come in here and give them a sense of worth, and it's just going to make them feel a lot more confident in themselves and who they are."

Jake said the centre was special and important for Grimsby because there was a lack of activities for young people in the area.

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