The world’s biggest spade helped mark the start of construction work on our new Youth Zone – The Hive as we take a significant step closer to opening.
Our new facility is scheduled to be completed by contractor HHSmith Sons Company LTD by the end of 2016 following the eye-catching designs put forward by architects Seven Architecture.
For those that haven’t heard the new Youth Zone is to be built on Exmouth St, adjacent to the new Fire Station, in the centre of Birkenhead and will be a place where all of Wirral’s young people can reach their full potential, grow their dreams and achieve their goals. It will be a safe and supportive community for young people to belong and be themselves.
The young people of Wirral have played a significant part in the early developments of their Youth Zone, having already worked together to create the brand ‘The Hive’ and with construction work beginning the opportunity to have somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to is set to become a reality.
Watch the highlights from the day here:
Chairman of The Hive John Syvret CBE commented: “Wirral’s new Youth Zone, The Hive, will give all young people of Wirral somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to. As with any OnSide Youth Zone, the project will rapidly take shape and this occasion will mark the start of what is set to be a fantastic project for the borough. We are all hugely excited to celebrate this key milestone and the day will be a significant one for the borough come the end of 2016 when we hope the project will be completed.”
The Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Phil Davies said: “The Hive will offer a safe and inclusive environment for Wirral’s young people in an exciting, purpose-built facility. Anti-social behaviour is a big issue at the moment, so providing services that improve young people’s lives and divert them away from getting into trouble in their local communities is our priority. The Hive will give young people the chance to try new sports, dance and arts, and support them to gain new skills and find employment.”
See the photos from a great day:
The Youth Zone has already received tremendous support, securing capital investment from: Bibby Line Group, The Johnson Foundation, The Leverhulme Trust, UBS, Linbury Trust, OnSide, The Queen’s Trust, St James’s Place Foundation, Holroyd Foundation, Wirral Borough Council, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust. Find out more about our generous capital supporters here.
The Hive will cost £1million per year to run and this will be secured through a combination of public sector and private sector funding. Over the coming months, 50% of the running costs will be secured through the local business community to help shape the future of the borough’s young people.
Creating a Legacy for the Future
We’ve already received generous support from Founder Patron’s Urenco UK and they will soon be joined by a brand new supporter – Boulting Group Ltd – a multi-disciplined engineering solutions provider, operating in a diverse range of industry sectors in the UK and internationally.
Becoming a Founder Patron of The Hive is a chance for the local businesses and philanthropists to create a legacy for the future of Wirral. Their support and endorsement of the project will serve to encourage others to invest in the future of the city’s young people. For more information about how to get involved please contact: Stuart Barnes on 07734 217916 or email thehive@onsideyouthzones.org.
Wirral Youth Zone is an independent charity which will operate to the successful OnSide Youth Zones model. The Youth Zone will cost approximately £6million to build and £1million to run annually. Wirral Council is both a strategic partner and significant funder on the project.
