A new youth centre was officially opened in Knoll Park in Hove on Friday 10 April, providing a dedicated space for local children, young people and families.
The Weller Youth Centre was funded through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Youth Investment Fund, following a successful bid from the Hangleton & Knoll Project and the council.
Young people have been at the heart of shaping plans for the centre throughout its development and will be involved in how the centre is run.
The new energy-efficient building has been designed to complement the existing Knoll Park brick pavilion and reduce the environmental impact on the surrounding green landscape.
Young people also chose the name for the centre in honour of local resident Pat Weller MBE, the founder and chair of The Hangleton & Knoll Project and her late husband David – and because of the play on words for improving wellbeing.
The opening event included thanks for all the many partners involved in making the fantastic new centre a reality.
It also marked the award of the very first Hangleton & Knoll Project youth ‘Unsung Hero’ award for services to the community, presented to Meghan Gregory by the Mayor Councillor Amanda Grimshaw.
The Unsung Hero shield was beautifully crafted by community member Keith Mason from oak floorboards from the Hangleton Community Centre.
Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Youth Services, said: “The Weller Youth Centre is a safe and fun environment that has been co-designed with young people throughout its development to give them the best start in life.
“The Hangleton & Knoll Project’s relentless commitment to provide services the local community wants and needs makes it an incredible asset to the city. This ambition has been matched by the council and reflected in the government’s funding of this project.
“Initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and Young Futures Hubs demonstrate a fundamental shift away from the previous government’s moral neglect of children and young people, making this an absolute priority going forwards.
“As a council, we’re determined to ensure young people have more input into policy making through our youth council. I hope that the children and young people in Hangleton & Knoll take that opportunity and continue to shape our services and priorities.”
Joanna Martindale, Chief Executive Officer at the Hangleton & Knoll Project, said: “This is a brilliant result for community and council partnership.
“We are so grateful to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for providing the money for young people to have their own space and to our partners at Brighton & Hove City Council for making it happen.
“The vision for the Weller Youth Centre is for young people to have a safe, welcoming space to have fun, get support and get involved in whatever they choose.”
Pat Weller MBE said: “It’s a wonderful centre and I’m really proud for the community and my family. This is on behalf of all the wonderful volunteers and the marvellous youth workers, without whom this youth centre wouldn’t be here.”
image: The Weller Centre
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