Plans for £6m youth zone unveiled

Youth charity OnSide said an initial £2.35m has been pledged towards constructing a youth zone in Sunderland, with £1m from The Queen’s Trust, £850,000 from Virgin Money Foundation, and £500,000 from local philanthropist Sir Peter Vardy.

Significant further financial support from Sunderland City Council is likely to be necessary in order for the plans to progress.

OnSide youth zones provide young people aged eight to 19, and those up to 25 with a disability, with affordable, seven-day access to a range of arts, sports, health and employability services.

??The charity aims to create 20 youth zones by 2020, with five centres already open, two more due to open next year, and several more in the pipeline including two in London.?

?The proposed site for the centre in Sunderland is situated adjacent to Sunderland College’s new campus.

Sir Peter Vardy said the project will not just help to support the council’s regeneration plans to reinvigorate the city, but also, support the wellbeing, aspirations and life chances of young people in the North East as they move into adulthood.

??“My vision is that all young people in the North East have access to somewhere safe and inspiring to go in their leisure time and I am hopeful that we will not only be able to create a youth zone in Sunderland, but also develop one in Newcastle where negotiations with the city council are continuing,” he said.

Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson said: ??“We’re looking forward to hearing more from OnSide over the coming weeks and months about their plans for engaging with the voluntary sector and with young people as they develop their plans further.
 
“It also fits in with our ambitions to regenerate the city centre, which are making good progress with the development of the college campus, the recent completion of St Mary’s Boulevard and Keel Square.”