£5.1 million awarded to YMCA Trinity Group to support youth programmes at The Cresset
YMCA Trinity Group has been awarded a transformational £5.1 million through the government’s Youth Investment Fund grant to support and develop its thriving youth programmes at The Cresset.
The Youth Investment Fund forms part of the Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’ to ensure every young person right across England will have access to regular out of school activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer backed by an investment of over £500 million investment. The Youth Investment Fund will enable up to 300 youth facilities to be built or renovated over the next three years and will benefit young people aged 11 to 18 (up to 25 for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
The Cresset, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, is perhaps best known for its active theatre and performance schedule. However, the multi-purpose venue also offers a thriving performing arts programme dedicated to creating and providing opportunities for young people to explore their individuality and celebrate their talents through various aspects of performing arts. It also hosts many community events and activities for different community groups through its different spaces.
YMCA Trinity Group already works with up to 2,000 young people through its performing arts programme at The Cresset. The charity works across the region to provide the necessary support and programmes to inspire communities and transform young lives.
Jonathan Martin, Chief Executive of YMCA Trinity Group, which manages The Cresset said: “Young people’s services have been in decline nationally, and we know there’s a need for positive intervention and opportunity. The investment in this project will ensure we can continue to do this valuable work and ensure The Cresset remains a presence in the community for many years to come.
“The Cresset is an important and unique community building in Peterborough, and after 45 years I am pleased we are still able to grow its services to the community. This funding will further develop our youth work, giving opportunities to young people to participate in all kinds of programmes, benefiting their social development, mental health, confidence, and skills.”
The significant grant will secure the long-term future of The Cresset building by allowing improvements and renovations to take place, including replacing the ageing roof and improving performance equipment, facilities, and accessibility for people with disabilities. It will also help the charity to extend and increase its performing arts opportunities and create a new youth service at the Peterborough venue.
The Cresset is one of just 46 venues across the country to receive grant funding in the latest round.
Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer MP, said:
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.
“The National Youth Guarantee will provide these opportunities and support young people with access to regular club activities, adventures away from home and volunteering opportunities.
“We are supporting this today with an investment to create or renovate spaces for youth clubs and activities to support opportunities for thousands of young people across the country who would otherwise miss out.”
Nick Temple, CEO for Social Investment Business, said:
“Every young person deserves access to high quality activities and facilities, providing the opportunities to help them thrive. The Youth Investment Fund is helping make that vision a reality, supporting organisations and projects in the areas of England that need it most.”
“It’s been amazing to see the wide range of projects applying to the Fund, and especially how young people have played a meaningful role in shaping those plans. There is a real appetite to develop inclusive, accessible, and sustainable facilities that will be there for future generations – and that is reflected in the first set of grants announced today.”
“We are hugely excited as work gets underway in places across the country – work that will help transform opportunities for thousands of young people.”
Leigh Middleton, Chief Executive, National Youth Agency, added:
“We are delighted to see these initial projects get off the ground and excited about the many and varied projects we are now supporting through the application process. The involvement of our Young Assessors in this process is vital to ensure that bids have young people at their core and that the places and activities which will be delivered are inclusive to all. Over the next three years the Youth Investment Fund will support our ambitions to enable more young people to benefit from the life changing impact of youth work, including gaining essential life skills, preparing for employment and being empowered to have a voice in their communities and society.”
For more information about the Youth Investment Fund, please visit www.youthinvestmentfund.org.uk