Third London youth zone gets green light

Councillors at Croydon Council voted in favour of proposals to build the facility on Monday night, which will open seven days a week and offer a range of activities to young people aged eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with a disability.

It is the third youth zone to be given the green light within the capital in less than 12 months, following Barking and Dagenham Council in July and Barnet Council in September.

Construction costs for the Croydon youth zone will be jointly funded with the council investing £3.25m, and the remainder coming from private sector grants and charitable trusts.

The council will also provide £300,000 per year towards running costs, with youth charity OnSide, which manage youth zones, providing the remaining funding for the first three years of operation.

Seven youth zones have been established across the North of England and the Midlands since 2008, with OnSide aiming to establish 20 such facilities by 2020.

Dr Mark Ward, project director at OnSide Youth Zones, said: “Youth zones are safe, inspiring and affordable places for young people to spend their leisure time and we are delighted that Croydon is bringing one of our facilities to the area.

??“Not only will the youth zone support those harder to reach young people, in particular from deprived backgrounds, but it will also provide a supportive and exciting place that all young people from the borough can access to help them live happier, healthier and more aspirational lives.”
 
Alisa Flemming, lead member for children, families and learning, added: “The council invests heavily every year in new and expanded school facilities, but it’s important that young people also have access to productive and fun activities in the evenings and weekends.

??“This new centre will complement the council’s four existing youth hubs and let even more young people develop new interests and skills, meet new friends, and become more ready for adult life.”