Horizon Youth Zone Grimsby

Humberside’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has become the latest to support the town’s young people by becoming a Founder Patron of Horizon Youth Zone.

As a Founder Patron, the PCC will contribute towards the charity’s annual £1.5m running costs, which will help the new Youth Zone offer first class facilities, opportunities and support for thousands of young people living in Grimsby.

Once opened, Horizon Youth Zone will be an independent charity with a private-sector led board. It will be part of the OnSide Network of 14 Youth Zones nationwide, supporting over 50,000 young people annually. Youth Zones are open to young people aged between eight and 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), seven days a week, for just 50p a visit. 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.  

In addition to the incredible facilities, trained youth workers and dedicated volunteers will be available 7 days a week to offer guidance and support to help Grimsby’s young people to thrive. It will create permanent full and part-time jobs, as well as volunteering opportunities.  

The PCC plays an integral role in Grimsby and in addition to commissioning the police service for the area, Jonathan also commissions a range of other services which aim to help cut crime, improve community safety and provide support for victims of crime. He also brings partners together to make sure community safety and criminal justice priorities are joined up.

When asked about the new partnership with Horizon, Jonathan said:

“After visiting other Youth Zones, I could see the benefit they brought to local communities. This is exactly what we need in Grimsby – a place open during crucial times when young people need them.

I am delighted that my office is able to help fund a Youth Zone in Grimsby and I am excited for it to open. I’ll be a regular visitor and an active supporter of the Youth Zone and those being developed in other areas.”

Horizon Youth Zone Chair Jason Stockwood said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Jonathan and his team for their generous support and for investing in the next generation of local young people. Horizon Youth Zone will provide the very best facilities, support and opportunities – it will be the place that the town’s young people deserve and the support of our local businesses is essential to its success.”

Horizon Youth Zone is being delivered by national youth charity OnSide in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council which is contributing towards the Youth Zone as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal. It will also be supported by various charitable trust and foundation grant bodies and the private sector. Last month it was confirmed that thanks to a grant from the DCMS’s Youth Investment Fund, all of the building costs for the Youth Zone have now been raised. Focus now turns to raising the annual running costs, which will come from private sector and philanthropic donations, with a contribution from North East Lincolnshire Council. Work is set to start on site over the summer and the Youth Zone is due to open in 2025.