13-02-2025
Youth centre reopens after four week refurbishment
A youth centre has reopened following a four-week refurbishment.
The Lordshill Youth Project, first established in 1999 as a collaboration between the local church, police, and Sainsbury's supermarket, reopened on February 10.
The project aims to provide a safe, enjoyable space for young people, with qualified youth workers offering guidance and support.
Over the years, the project has helped thousands of young people build positive relationships, raise aspirations, and gain access to education, employment, or life skills.
The centre was also a source of support during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering counselling services.
The project, which operates from the Zoe Braithwaite Centre in Lordshill, provides club-based sessions in partnership with Youth Options.
These sessions include a variety of activities, from crafts to sports, and even holiday clubs where young people learn to prepare and eat healthy food.
In the 2023-24 financial year alone, the project ran more than 1,100 sessions, offering a safe space for more than 200 young people.
Richard Poulter, managing director for Willmott Dixon Construction South said: "This project is about more than just refurbishing a building; it's about creating opportunities for young people and strengthening the community.
"Seeing our teams and supply chain partners come together to make a real difference is incredibly inspiring. Their generosity, combined with the dedication of our own people, ensures that we leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those who rely on this space."
Councillor Alex Winning, cabinet member for children and learning said: "We are incredibly grateful to Willmott Dixon and all of their sub-contractors for their expertise and support in helping to update the space so it can continue for the next 26 years."
The recent refurbishment was made possible by Willmott Dixon, a UK-based construction company.
After attending a Solent Careers Hub school-based activity, the company learned about the Lordshill project and decided to help.
Willmott Dixon mobilised its Southampton-based subcontractors to volunteer to refit the facility, providing new electrics, toilets, and a fitted kitchen to current safety standards.
They also repaired walls, cleaned gutters, and redecorated the centre, all funded by their Social Impact Fund.
