Young people in Hull are already feeling the benefits of new investment at Kingston Youth Centre, as part of a wider programme to improve youth facilities across the city.
Hull City Council has invested £25,000 into a refurbished kitchen at the centre, alongside additional funding from the government’s Better Youth Spaces Fund, which has supported the transformation of a former studio space into a modern dance and fitness suite.
The kitchen is now used daily by young people who are eager to increase their cooking skills and explore new healthy recipes.
The studio space before the upgrades
One of the young people – Daniel – said: “The kitchen is looking so much better! We’ve been able to cook proper meals together and learn new skills. It’s made a big difference.”
The upgraded studio now features a brand-new dancefloor, full-length mirrors, surround sound system, smart TV, mood lighting and a range of fitness equipment – creating a vibrant, flexible space for young people to stay active, build confidence and express themselves.
The room hosts new Mixed Martial Arts taster sessions and younger groups have been testing their fitness and boxing skills. Meanwhile, members of the Big Buzz and Buzzaballoo disability social sessions have been improving their dancing skills with a dance tutor once a month.
Sally, another young person benefitting from the upgrades, added: “The gym and dance space is brilliant. It feels like a proper studio and makes you want to get involved and try new things.”
Over the Easter Holidays, an array of health and wellbeing activities enabled both rooms to be used to their full potential. Young people enjoyed healthy cooking sessions, fitness, self-defence and yoga sessions.
The new and improved kitchen at Kingston Youth Centre
Better Youth Spaces, a £30.5m capital grants programme funded by the UK Government and administered by Social Investment Business, aims to bring fast-paced benefits to young people. It funds small scale-capital projects of £5k-£100k, including capital equipment, small refurbishments and other capital projects to help youth organisations to better support the young people they work with.
Dean Davis, Youth Work Manager at Hull City Council, said: “I’m really proud of the great youth sector we have here in Hull, and the way we invest in our young people. The youth work sessions we deliver with our VCSE partners extends support and opportunity to young people around the city.
“This support from the council and Better Youth Spaces provides greater opportunities for young people to improve their health and well-being and nutritional knowledge. I am looking forward to working with our team to further develop our offer and transform more of our spaces and places this year.”
Pauline Turner, Director of Children’s Services at Hull City Council, added: “Investing in facilities like Kingston Youth Centre is about giving young people the opportunities they deserve. Making Hull a Child Friendly City is one of the most important aspects of our Community Plan. These improvements will help support their health, wellbeing and personal development, and it’s fantastic to see them already making such positive use of the space.”
Stay tuned for further updates highlighting how investment is being used to support young people across Hull.