Grant of £2million awarded by The Youth Investment Fund for St. Giles Youth Centre

PHOTO: The Giles Youth Centre - From left: Cllr Ric Metcalfe, YMCA Lincolnshire Youth Service Manager Leo Copsey & team, YMCA Lincolnshire Director of Community Development Chris Kirkwood

YMCA Lincolnshire has been awarded a £2million Youth Investment Fund grant to renovate the St. Giles Community Centre, opening up further engagement opportunities for the young people of Lincoln.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Social Investment Business has announced that YMCA Lincolnshire is one of 44 youth projects across England that have been awarded a Youth Investment Fund grant to transform and level up opportunities for young people in England.

The funding will enable youth services to transform health, wellbeing, skills, and opportunities for young people on the St. Giles estate. It is a ground-breaking opportunity to prioritise the needs of young people, and for youth services to develop and deliver the life-changing services they need in order to create a more equal society for future generations.

The Youth Investment Fund grant of £2 million will enable YMCA Lincolnshire to reach 300 young people in the heart of St. Giles, a part of the city that really needs this investment. The funding will be used to create a purpose-built youth centre, where young people can socialise learn and grow; where specialist youth workers can devise interesting and engaging activities to give young people the opportunities they deserve.

This exciting new branch of YMCA Lincolnshire’s Youth Service gives our organisation the means to continue to offer valuable opportunities for young people to engage in youth activity. We will provide groups and activities that are specifically designed to support young people in line with YMCA Lincolnshire’s philosophy to represent people from all backgrounds and support them to reach their full potential in mind, body and spirit.

Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer said:

“I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills. These next 44 youth centres will give 12,000 more young people the opportunity to access these activities. We will make sure every young person has someone to talk to, something to do, and somewhere to go.”

YMCA Lincolnshire Director of Community Development, Chris Kirkwood said:

“This exciting and essential funding will allow us to extend the great work we already do, into an area of Lincoln much in need of youth engagement and opportunity. We will breathe new life into this area, creating a vibrant space that the community can be proud of. By utilising this space, we’re hoping to provide something for everybody, from parkour to tabletop gaming; offering a creative environment to grow and learn, and a safe space where young people can access guidance and support from a trained youth worker.”

Leader and Ward Councillor for Glebe Ward at City of Lincoln Council, Cllr Ric Metcalfe, added:

“It is fantastic news that £1.5 million has been approved to be invested into the premises, which would improve access for all within the centre and create improved facilities and activities for children and young people.

“We look forward to moving onto the next stage of implementation of this project with YMCA.”

For more information about YMCA Lincolnshire's incredible Youth Service, please visit: https://www.lincsymca.co.uk/young-people/