Once completed, the children’s centre will be able to offer a universal youth provision for the very first time. The centre already hosts a nursery and adult learning centre, and this addition makes it an impressive and valuable service for residents of all ages.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council secured the funding through the Government’s Youth Investment Fund and received £1.1m for the project.
Young people will now have access to a gaming area and a STEM suite – with a focus on Cyber skills. Life skills will be improved via a new teaching kitchen and the café area has also been refurbished.
The IMO charity will run the youth centre and have worked in the Audley & Queen’s Park area for the last twenty years.
Councillor Julie Gunn, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and executive lead for Children and Education said:
“This is a shining example of what we do so well in BwD – strong partnership working to improve the lives of our residents and our communities.
“This project at Audley & Queen’s Park Children’s Centre will bring youth provision right to the very heart of this community.
“It is great that we managed to secure the funding, but what is much more important is what we can deliver now with IMO. Already they have done so much for this community and now they can build on those foundations.
“As a council we can only do so much, but together projects like this can help make a real difference. We are on a mission to ensure every child and young person has the opportunities to fulfil their potential – this is an important part of that.”
IMO Chief Executive Mohammed Tayyab Sidat MBE said:
“First and foremost, I would like to thank the council for understanding the needs of our community and helping to secure this vital funding and delivering this new youth facility, which is much needed and will be invaluable in supporting our youngsters.
“This youth facility will be open seven days a week and will help support young people and their parents and carers at the heart of the community.
“There will be a huge range of sessions – from educational support to employability and more.
“It will be a safe place for young people to come, but it is more than just a youth centre, it is a beacon of light.”
IMO has already been undertaking outreach work and will continue to build on this. The feedback received so far has influenced the new space and the sessions and support on offer.
These will include educational support, mental health support, employability and targeted support for young people not in education, employment or training. There will also be support for parents and guardians.
The Audley & Queen’s Park Children’s Centre work has delivered by Seddon, which recently completed the YIF redevelopment at Darwen Youth Centre.
Matthew Sargeson, Operations Director at Seddon said:
“We are proud to have delivered this important project at Audley & Queen’s Park Children’s Centre, creating a high-quality, modern space that will benefit young people across the community.
“The new facilities have been designed to support learning, skills development and wellbeing.
We look forward to seeing the centre become a vibrant hub that supports young people to grow, learn and reach their full potential.”
The Youth Investment Fund is funded by the UK Government and is delivered by Social Investment Business in partnership with Resonance, Key Fund and National Youth Agency.