Grimsby Youth Zone to receive multi-million pound boost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Horizon, the state-of-the-art OnSide Youth Zone we are developing in Grimsby, is set to receive £2.7m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  

The grant, along with funding from North East Lincolnshire Council, will allow us to restore, refurbish and extend the existing Grade II-listed buildings that will become a state-of-the-art Youth Zone for Grimsby. 

An element of the funding will also be used to establish a five-year programme of heritage-inspired activities, which will be designed by local young people, including developing a time capsule of stories and designing a historic timeline which will feature on one of the walls of the Youth Zone.  

Young people have been at the heart of the development of Horizon Youth Zone since the beginning. A passionate group of young volunteers form the ‘Young People’s Development Group’ decided on several key areas such as the Youth Zone name, branding and design. This youth led approach was central to the successful Heritage Fund bid, with one member of the group attending the bid presentation to explain exactly what the funding would mean to her and other local young people. They also made a compelling short film which brought to life why Grimsby’s young people deserve the investment.

Former Horizon Young People’s Development Group member Izzy Russell (who is now a trainee youth worker at OnSide), said “As a teenager growing up in Grimsby, it’s been amazing how much I’ve been involved in this project. It just shows that young people are at the core of Horizon Youth Zone. I want to say a huge thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for this incredible grant, it means a lot. Without a shadow of a doubt the young people of Grimsby have some exciting things to look forward to!” 

We’re working in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council and the local business community to deliver Grimsby’s Horizon Youth Zone project. While a large part of the Youth Zone’s funding will come from the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, we’re fundraising for the remaining building and running costs, having already received some fantastic support for this from Ørsted, Historic England, Architectural Heritage Fund, and other charities and philanthropists. To date, businesses Ørsted, Allied Protek, the Evergreen Group and DFDS Seaways, as well as philanthropic individuals Paul Bentham, Simon Smith, Andrew Pettit and Jason Stockwood have pledged their support towards the operating costs of Horizon, joining the growing community of Founder Patrons. 

Horizon Youth Zone will be part of our growing network of 14 Youth Zones nationwide, which are state-of-the-art buildings providing a range of opportunities and trusted support to help young people explore their potential. They are open to young people aged between eight and 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), 7 days a week, for just 50p a visit. Horizon Youth Zone members will have access to an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, training kitchen, music room with a recording studio, fully equipped gym, dance and drama studio, 3G kick pitch, arts and crafts room, enterprise and employability suite, combined with support from skilled youth workers.  

OnSide’s CEO, Kathryn Morley, said: 

“This is fabulous news for Grimsby’s young people and how fitting that it was young people from the town that were integral in us being awarded this remarkable amount of money that will change thousands of lives. I’d like to thank them for their passion to create change for their peers and, of course, to the Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for investing in our future generations.” 

Cllr Callum Procter, Cabinet member for Economic Growth, Housing and Tourism at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is a major milestone for this project, and I’m really pleased to see it progressing. Horizon, in the heart of our town centre, is using one of our Grade 2 listed buildings that has been derelict for a generation. This project is representative of this borough’s drive to invest in our children and young people. They are our adults of tomorrow, and we are determined to overcome the challenges that we have within areas of our community to improve the opportunities for them.” 

David Renwick, Director England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:   

“I’m delighted to announce £2.7million of support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to Grimsby Horizon Youth Zone. This grant, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will have a hugely positive impact on the young people of Grimsby, with several thousand Youth Zone members able to benefit from the facilities, projects and workshops that will be available.”  

“We at the Heritage Fund are proud to continue our strategic support of North East Lincolnshire and contribute to the important partnership work already underway to enable heritage-led regeneration in Grimsby. We know that funding heritage is a key element in boosting the local economy, benefitting the wellbeing of people living in the area and instilling a sense of pride among the community.”