Key backers meet the The Way team as construction progresses

To mark six months until the opening of Wolverhampton’s new Youth Zone, two of The Way’s national supporters, The Queen’s Trust and St James’s Place Foundation, came to Wolverhampton this week to see the site and meet members of the Youth Zone’s Young People’s Development Group and new-look team.

The supporters saw for themselves the significant progress of the Youth Zone’s construction work, as the superstructure nears completion and the all-weather 3G pitch is prepared for installation in late August.

Internally, the building is progressing equally well, with the sports hall equipment fit-out having started on site. The feature glazing to the climbing wall looks impressive, whilst decoration has started in each room within the building with electrical work also underway.

The supporters also met members of The Way’s team who have recently been recruited ahead of January 2016 opening.

General Manager, Alice Davey, has now been joined by:

• Philippa Gregory – Development Manager.
• Wendy Rayner-Hall – Administration Manager
• Andrew Walker – Volunteer Manager
• Steven Brown – Youth Work Manager
• Rajbinder Kaur Wagay  – Youth Worker
• Victoria Flaczynska – Youth Worker

Stay tuned to The Way Youth Zone’s website for further vacancies that will be advertised in the coming months.

Nicola Brentnall, Director, at The Queen’s Trust said: “We had a great day, meeting the team from The Way and particularly the young people from the Development Group, who shared with us all they have done on the project and what The Way will mean for Wolverhampton. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support this project and to bring the Youth Zone offer here. We are funding Youth Zones in Wirral, Preston and in London and have seen how brilliantly they help young people to succeed.”

Malcolm Cooper-Smith, Trustee of St James’s Place Foundation commented: “Here at the St. James’s Place Foundation, we were all taken-back by the scale and scope of the facility which will benefit young people of Wolverhampton. Construction work is gathering pace and before we all know it the Youth Zone will be open. We cannot wait to see those doors open and hundreds of young people have their lives changed for the better.”

The Queen’s Trust and St James’s Place Foundation are part of a group of nine capital supporters, including The Morgan Foundation, Sport England and The Football Foundation who have united to back the Youth Zone to the tune of £5.5 million. Wolverhampton City Council is also investing more than £3m in The Way – towards both the development and running costs.

And that backing continues as The Way Youth Zone is also delighted to announce that B. E. Wedge Holdings Ltd and Keltruck are the latest capital supporters to come on board.

B. E. Wedge Holdings Ltd is the holding company for leading galvanizing businesses in the UK, Europe and the USA, including Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd the largest galvanizer in the UK with 14 sites across the country.

Keltruck Limited is the largest independent Scania dealer in Europe serving the Midlands and South Wales from its 21 dealer points.

The Way General Manager, Alice Davey said: “A huge thank you to all our capital supporters who attended the site yesterday. It was fantastic to see everyone uniting for the single cause of helping young people. Their support is vital and we are also delighted that Wedge Galvanizing and Keltruck have also come aboard to ensure our dream becomes a reality.”

The capital investment is further underpinned by revenue support from dedicated Founder Patrons, a group of individuals, companies and education providers, united by the same aim; to help Wolverhampton’s young people lead healthier, happier and more aspirational lives by giving them somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.

Wolverhampton Youth Zone named ‘The Way’ is a purpose-built facility for the city’s young people aged 8 – 19 and up to 25 with disabilities. The Youth Zone will be located on School Street in Wolverhampton, and is expected to open in early 2016.

You can see photos from the visit by clicking here.