More young people in Stoke-on-Trent will have access to youth services thanks to the work of Middleport Matters Community Trust and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Middleport Matters has been awarded a Transformational Youth Investment Fund grant of £413,374 to deliver a range of projects from a newly built Middleport Park Pavilion. The city council has worked closely with Middleport Matters to support the funding application to the government’s Youth Investment Fund.
Local resident, Sandra said “The community have been waiting for something like this for years – a safe place for our children to meet their friends and try out different activities with the Middleport Matters team. The old building in the park is in such a mess and we can’t wait to see it all new and in use.”
As part of the project, the city council will be transferring the newly built facility via a Community Asset Transfer lease. The funding will then be used to replace the existing pavilion to create a fantastic facility for the young people of the area and wider community. A variety of projects and sessions will be delivered from the new facility including social, creative, youth specific, wellbeing and environmental.
Vicki Gwynne, from Middleport Matters Community Trust, said: “We are so pleased that this grant has been awarded, to provide a modern, secure building in the park along with an increase in activity for young people to engage with and participate in. There will be dedicated youth workers who will work alongside local people to create a timetable of activity and deliver all types of activity.”
The funding is in addition to the successful £50,000 bid to the city council’s Community Investment Fund (CIF). The CIF grant has been used as match funding for the organisation’s later funding application.
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “I’m really pleased that we have been able to work with Middleport Matters on this project and that their funding bid has been successful. They are a fantastic local organisation providing lots of community projects. This funding will help to breathe new life into Middleport Park Pavilion and provide vital youth services for young people in the area and across the city.
“This project fits right in with the key aims of our Youth Participation Strategy – Be the Cause - and builds on the work we’ve done with our Youth Council, providing opportunities for young people to come together and shape services in the city.
“Our young people should have the best possible start in life, the best education and the best life chances. I know that with this funding, Middleport Matters will make huge strides in transforming the local area and further improving youth provision in Stoke-on-Trent.”
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