Optivo becomes official supporter of Legacy Youth Zone

Housing Provider Optivo becomes the latest supporter of Legacy Youth Zone, by making a £25,000 Founder Patron pledge for three years to the brand-new young people’s charity set to open in Croydon this September.

Croydon head-quartered Optivo was inspired to support Legacy Youth Zone after learning more about the charity’s aim to provide thousands of local young people with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to, resulting in healthier, happier, more aspirational young people.

Optivo currently have over 1,500 residents in Croydon aged between 8-19 who will be eligible to enjoy over 20 fun and engaging activities every night at Legacy.

Optivo will join Legacy’s family of Founder Patrons, a group of local businesses and philanthropists who are united in support of young people and their ambition to see Croydon flourish.

Currently under construction in Selhurst, the state-of-the-art Youth Zone will offer thousands of young people from Croydon access to an indoor climbing wall, 3G kick pitch, four court sports hall, dance and drama studio, training kitchen, arts and crafts space, fully equipped gym, music room with recording studio, enterprise suite and much more.

Set to open this September, Legacy Youth Zone will open seven days a week for young people aged between 8 and 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs. Young people will pay just £5 per year to be a member and then only 50p every time they visit.

Legacy Youth Zone is based on the successful OnSide Youth Zones 21st century youth work model, which currently reaches over 40,000 young people at Youth Zone sites across the country.

William Miller, Director Social Impact at Optivo said: ‘We’re delighted to support and empower young Croydon residents. It’s important leading local businesses maximise their social impact in the community. The Youth Zone is a super example. We’ll be encouraging the maximum number of our young Croydon residents to shape and take advantage of the opportunities the scheme provides.”

Nick Sleep, Chair of Legacy Youth Zone said: “A huge thank you to Optivo for joining Legacy’s family of Founder Patrons. With support from the local business community Legacy will open with a first-class offer, providing thousands of young people, many of whom may be Optivo residents, with somewhere safe and inspiring to spend their leisure time. By working together, we are creating an amazing space for young people to try new activities, discover their talents and develop their skills.”

The Youth Zone’s building costs have been joint funded by Croydon Council, the Queen’s Trust, the Stone Family Foundation and The Seroussi Foundation via UBS Optimus Foundation. The charity’s annual £1.4 million revenue costs are supported by a number of local businesses, organisations and philanthropists as well as support from the Local Authority.