Chequers Contract Services donates £75K to support Croydon’s young people

Cleaning and Facilities Maintenance company, Chequers Contract Services has made an incredible £75,000 donation to Croydon’s Legacy Youth Zone, making them the latest Founder Patron of the charity.

Croydon-based Chequers Contract Services was inspired to become a Founder Patron of Legacy Youth Zone after discovering how the new Youth Zone, set to open in Croydon this summer, will support young people to lead healthier, happier, more aspirational lives.

Currently under construction just north of central Croydon, Legacy Youth Zone is a £6.5 million purpose-built youth facility, which will provide members with access to an indoor climbing wall, sports hall, fully equipped gym, arts & crafts studio, music room with recording studio, training kitchen, 3G kick pitch, dance & drama studio, and much more – all for just £5 annual membership and 50p per visit.

Chequers Contract Services has pledged to donate £25,000 to Legacy each year for the next three years. Half of this donation will be made via Chequers Contract Service’s joint venture company Renovo Facilities and Services Ltd created in partnership with Housing Association One Housing. As a Housing Association with a strong social purpose, One Housing is dedicated to not only creating affordable homes but also creating opportunities for its communities.

This donation will go directly towards supporting thousands of young people from Croydon to meet new people, develop their skills, experience new opportunities and enjoy their leisure time in a safe and inspiring environment. The Youth Zone will also work with partner organisations to deliver enterprise and employability workshops which will help get young people into education, employment or training.

Legacy Youth Zone is being delivered in partnership with OnSide Youth Zones, Croydon Council, and several local businesses and philanthropists who have a vested interest in Croydon.

Legacy Youth Zone will be the third OnSide Youth Zone set to open in London this year and the first in South London. The OnSide Youth Zones network currently welcomes over 40,000 members across 10 Youth Zones in Bolton, Carlisle, Blackburn, Oldham, Wigan, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Wirral, Warrington and Chorley.

Rosaleen Liard, CEO of Chequers Contract Services and a founding partner of Renovo in partnership with One Housing said “At Chequers Contract Services we have built our business on family values including creating a footprint for the next generation. Through our joint venture with One Housing, this has allowed us to work collaboratively to make a positive impact on residents’ lives by promoting aspiration, independence and well-being.

“Now as a joint founder patron of Legacy Youth Zone we are continuing this journey in investing in our local youth. We believe OnSide’s Legacy Youth Zone will make a tremendous difference to the lives of young people by providing them with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to and we look forward to seeing our community flourish as a result.”

Nick Sleep, Chair of Legacy Youth Zone, said: “A huge thank you to Chequers Group for choosing to become a Founder Patron of Legacy Youth Zone. Together with support from the private sector we are creating a legacy for Croydon’s young people, ensuring they receive the opportunities, services and support they need and deserve, for generations to come.”

To find out more about supporting young people through Legacy Youth Zone please email david.mellis@onsideyouthzones.org