Young People to race to Wirral Youth Zone on Grand National Opening Day!

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Saturday 8^th April marks the biggest day in the racing calendar, but in the lives of thousands of young people across Wirral, Grand National Day will be remembered as the day WE, The Hive, Wirral Youth Zone open our doors for the first time!

After years of hard work from national charity OnSide Youth Zones shaking hands with Wirral Council, to the spade hitting the ground back in December 2015, to the dramatic countdown of building milestones, Wirral Youth Zone has come a long way. The final furlong is now in sight and the biggest day in the racing calendar will see The Hive’s doors welcome young people through their own turnstiles.

The opening day itself will kick off from 1pm with all the family invited to come down to take advantage of the top-class facilities from a 4G football pitch, four court sports hall, iconic climbing wall, fully fitted gym, skate park, music room, media room, arts and crafts areas, dance studio and even a boxing gym and recording studio.

The official ceremony including the cutting of the ribbon by Chairman John Syvret CBE, Leader of Wirral Council Cllr Phil Davies, young people and The Hive’s first volunteer – representing the four-way partnership approach in the project – will take place at 2.30pm. There will also be a 6ft high cake to celebrate the big day!

Following the opening ceremony, the first Senior, Junior and Inclusion sessions will take place as follows:

• Saturday 8^th April, 4-10pm: First Senior session for young people aged 13 – 19yrs
• Sunday 9^th April, 10am-2pm: First Inclusion session for young people with a disability aged up to 25
• Sunday 9^th April, 3-7pm: First Junior session for young people aged 8 – 12yrs.

Stuart Barnes, Chief Executive at The Hive – Wirral Youth Zone said: “The Hive, one of the best facilities for young people in the country, offers an incredible range of activities ranging from a climbing wall and a recording studio to a fitness suite, multi-media room as well as employability, mentoring and young leaders programmes. Over and above engaging themselves, young people will benefit from raised aspirations, enhanced prospects, increased confidence, all of which will lead to the wider benefits to the whole community. We cannot wait to open our doors to thousands of young people across Wirral on Saturday 8^th April.”

Leader of Wirral Council, Councillor Phil Davies said: “The Hive Youth Zone is a clear commitment from the whole community that we believe in the potential of young people in Wirral and will look to do all we can to support the skills and aspirations of future generations. Despite a challenging funding climate, investing now will reduce the need for more re-active and costly interventions further down the line. It also illustrates our ambitious plans for the borough, with the recently launched Wirral Growth Company designed to encourage further development in the area.”

The project has not gone un-noticed across Wirral with close to 2000 likes on Wirral Youth Zone’s Facebook page, whilst over 500 young people have now signed up as Youth Zone members online. Membership costs £5 per year with each session at the Youth Zone costing just 50p per visit. Young people can sign up online by visiting: www.thehiveyouthzone.org/new-member

Volunteers will also be crucial in its success. The Hive is on its way to recruiting 100 dedicated members of the community to make sure they deliver the best service for Wirral’s young people. Contact Volunteer and Training Manager Sam Curley on: sam.curley@thehiveyouthzone.org if you want to get involved.

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