New community facilities delivered at New Lodge Youth Centre

In 2020, the Association set aside funding of £20k and started to explore ways to better utilise and enhance the vacant land beside New Lodge Youth Centre (NLYC) in Upper Meadow Street. Working from the outset in partnership and close cooperation with Ashton Community Trust (ACT) and New Lodge Youth Centre (NLYC), we then commenced discussion on how we could create a
meaningful project on the site.

The first phase of the project involved intensive consultation with over 100 local young people that use NLYC, followed by the next phase of the process which entailed the close engagement with local residents that live within the general locality to get their input and ideas, allow their voice and opinions to be heard and to address any concerns residents may have, before progressing towards the practical implementation of the project.

In late 2022, we were delighted to see all this co-operation and hard work finally pay off as the space has now been transformed, with new facilities and amenities installed that will benefit residents within the greater New Lodge for many years to come.

The site was cleared and landscaped and had benches, tables, a pergola frame, planting beds and a projector facility for outdoor screening of films installed.

Some additional work is still required, but it will shortly be ready to house other equipment such as a covered area, BBQ, pizza oven and kitchen point and the activity space will eventually be enclosed with trees which will be planted along the perimeter.

The site will also be adaptable and as time passes open to change and conversion based on the needs and desires of the young people that use the youth centre.

On behalf of everyone at Newington, we want to extend our appreciation to the team at Ashton Community Trust, who have played a pivotal role in the design, planning and delivery of the improvement works and also to the staff and young people from NLYC for their input, ideas and vision.