Network Ryde Youth Service have officially opened the doors to their newly renovated youth centre in central Ryde. The project which was awarded a £578,000 Youth Investment Fund grant has seen the Grade II listed building (formerly known as St Thomas’ Church) transformed into a warm and welcoming space for the young people (age 11-18) across the Island to enjoy. Network Ryde celebrated with an official opening on Tuesday 9th Jul,y attended by young people, partner organisations, Ryde Town Councillors, and friends of Network Ryde. Ryde’s Mayor, Richard May, officially cut the ribbon with Network Ryde’s Youth Work Manager, Bex Swan. Richard May, Mayor of Ryde, commented:
“The staff team and the councillors who support them have worked exceptionally hard to get this project over the line as quickly as possible, without sacrificing the quality of both building and programme. I’m very proud of this effort on behalf of the community, and of the young people who have already filled the centre. “We’re all about offering a brighter future and the new home for Network Ryde will really help this to happen.”
A further celebration event was attended by 50 young people who enjoyed a silent disco and had fun exploring the new facilities, which include a large space for activities, gaming areas, a fully working kitchen, confidential spaces, and a sensory room. Young people have been integral at every step of the process, seeing the building before purchasing it, working with the architects, and supporting with the application to the Youth Investment Fund. The new centre provides a friendly and safe hub for young people to meet, and opportunities for them to participate in fun, creative and meaningful activities to support their health and wellbeing. On the project, Bex Swan, Youth Work Manager at Network Ryde Youth Service comments:
“We are delighted to open and welcome young people into our amazing new centre and are now able to offer a wider provision to young people of secondary school age. We have consulted and worked alongside young people at every step of the project, so that their voice has been clearly heard in the development of the new centre.”
Network Ryde has been operating a successful and thriving youth service for over 6 years, funded and supported by Ryde Town Council. All their activities are provided free of charge, and the new centre provides over 4 times the space of the youth service’s previous home, and the opportunity to support 200 more young people. The Youth Investment funding has also allowed Network Ryde to expand their already dedicated team of Youth Workers, allowing for the growth of partnership working and collaboration with agencies and creative organisations. The new youth centre is a shining example of investment in young people’s lives, a beacon of hope for Ryde, and an inspiration to the whole Island community. Network Ryde Youth Service is one of over 220 youth centres in England to benefit from the Youth Investment Fund, a fund of over £300 million created to transform youth services in some of the country’s most deprived areas of England, giving new life-changing opportunities for thousands of young people. 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.
