Lancashire Youth projects receive £15m from government fund

By Tim Aldred

04 Aug 2023

Youth Zone Funding

Nine Lancashire projects have received a total of £15m funding from the Youth Investment Fund, part of the government's National Youth Guarantee.

The funding, from the £300m pot which has been allocated to transform and level up opportunities for young people in England, includes:

  • £973,000 for Burnley Boys and Girls Club
  • £3m for Blackburn Youth Zone
  • £4.6m to be shared between Darwen Youth Centre and Audley & Queens Park Youth Hub
  • £1.7m for Blackpool Boys & Girls Club
  • £1m for Fleetwood Trust 
  • £620,000 for Newground Together in Blackburn
  • £488,000 for The Boathouse Youth in Blackpool
  • £2.3m for The Foxton Centre in  Preston

Blackburn Youth zone's £3m allocation will be used to transform the Fusebox building on Jubilee Street  into a new Employment Skills Hub.

The revamped building will include a new training academy offering training facilities for the delivery of recognised and vocational qualifications, A Maker Zone housing dedicated STEAM equipment with a bespoke accredited curriculum, asector-based Youth Club providing bespoke equipment for young people to develop transferable skills in preparation for ‘Jobs of the Future’ and an open events space for youngsters to showcase their talents. 

Darwen's allocation will be used to build upon the success of Youth Zone Darwen. The Knott Street facility will double in size as part of plans to add an extra level on to the existing building.

The redevelopment will feature a new wellbeing area, creative workshop space, recording and DJ studio, gaming zone and multi-use spaces and the outdoor sports facilities will be upgraded too.

Audley and Queen’s Park Children’s Centre, part of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s brand new Family Hubs, will transform existing facilities for children and young people living in the area.

It’ll then be open seven days a week for them to enjoy with a specialist mental health offer, employability and rehabilitation support too.

A new Shadsworth Hub will open to all youngsters in the area, offering impressive new indoor and outdoor spaces for them to enjoy. 

Coun Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "This is a brilliant outcome for our youngsters in the borough and comes on the back of an incredible amount of hard work by the council and our partners.

"This funding will see our youth facilities transformed - supporting our mission to ensure every child and young person has opportunities to fulfil their potential."

Blackpool's money has been awarded to create a new, larger, purpose built youth club on the site of the existing Blackpool Boys and Girls youth club in Talbot and Brunswick.

The expansion of the building will allow for more youth work activities, youth provision and opportunities for young people from the local area with the completion date expected to be autumn 2024.

The redeveloped and redesigned youth centre will offer a range of youth work activities and opportunities, and the new centre will include a games room, space for sports, a kitchen area and the opportunity to develop an e-Sports area.

Fleetwood's allocation will be used to renovate the former Fleetwood Hospital building on Pharos Street and transform part of The Hub Fleetwood community
space into a thriving and vibrant hub for young people.

The Youth Hub will be part of the phased redevelopment of the former NHS hospital building led by The Fleetwood Trust. It will deliver much needed youth services for young people in Fleetwood and the wider community.

Planning consent for the redevelopment work was secured in partnership
with The Prince’s Foundation in November 2020, and with the funding now in place, Fleetwood Trust hopes to be able to open the doors to the new centre next year and complete the revamp by 2025.

Lord Tom McNally, chairman of the Fleetwood Trust, said: "Working in partnership with the young people of Fleetwood themselves, the Fleetwood Trust will use this funding to help meet their needs and priorities.

“It also means that the Fleetwood Trust has a significant building block in place towards the creation, at the old Fleetwood Hospital, of a multi-service hub which will meet the needs and priorities of all the people of Fleetwood."

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Trident return to power Net Zero Carbon Conference 2025 Net Zero Conference

Trident return to power Net Zero Carbon Conference 2025

08 Apr 2025

2

50 jobs to be created as Group55 announces further growth and expansion Stephen Turner Group 55

50 jobs to be created as Group55 announces further growth and expansion

08 Apr 2025

3

New chapter opens for Sundown after strategic sale Heath Groves

New chapter opens for Sundown after strategic sale

08 Apr 2025

4

Pets Choice acquires Pettex and cat litter division Tony Raeburn at Pets Choice

Pets Choice acquires Pettex and cat litter division

07 Apr 2025

5

PWA Planning opens new office to support local and national growth Dan Hughes, Lauren Taylor, Paul Walton, Michael Coburn and Andrew Corrin

PWA Planning opens new office to support local and national growth

07 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Making changes to everyday activities to reduce your carbon footprint
uclan drone_0085.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
08 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Making changes to everyday activities to reduce your carbon footprint

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:00 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin