Social spaces to get additional Government funding as part of £70 million youth centre plans

Three Newcastle youth groups will be the recipients of a new addition to a £70 million Government funding programme looking to give young people better access to positive out-of-school activities.

The next phase of the Youth Investment Fund will see 44 youth centres share a slice of £70m Government funding with the trio of Tyneside sites and groups receiving over £5m.

The majority of the money being allocated to the city will be awarded to St Micheal’s Centre Partnership in Byker which will recieve a huge £4,427,163. The facility will be able to offer open access to hospitality, entertainment, sport and enrichment activities and holiday club offers while supporting ongoing youth provision in the area.

Projects4Change is expected to use their new funds to improve on the current setup. According to the official statement, the group: “addresses the needs, voice and rights of young people, working within communities and in partnership with others to create youth work projects which help young people develop and flourish into adulthood.

They will recieve £806,819.

Finally, Newcastle YMCA in Walker will recieve £419,823 with the funding expected to create an eSports and gaming facility thanks to the ciy becoming a “growing centre of employment for creators of gaming and esports hardware and software.” It is hoped this support will offer progression and employment into the sector.

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The Government claims the funding will help as many as 12,000 extra 11 to 18-year-olds across the country have access to regular, positive activities every year, on top of the thousands of young people who already enjoy these opportunities.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: "I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills.

“These next 44 youth centres will give 12,000 more young people the opportunity to access these activities. We will make sure every young person has someone to talk to, something to do, somewhere to go.”