Today I was delighted to visit the inspiring project at Long Buckby Youth Centre. This initiative, led by Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) in conjunction with West Northamptonshire Council, is breathing new life into a vital local community space that has been closed for over four years.
VIY engage young people, particularly those not in education, employment, or training, to renovate community spaces while gaining valuable skills and qualifications. By partnering with local businesses, councils, and organisations, VIY creates a win-win situation where young people learn trade skills and earn accreditations, all while revitalising important community spaces.
I'm thrilled to see this approach in action at Long Buckby. The project will not only reopen a vital youth centre but also empower our local young people with practical skills and work experience. It's an excellent example of how cross-sector collaboration can address multiple community needs simultaneously.
Once completed, the centre will again serve as a hub for our local youth in Long Buckby and beyond. I'm impressed by the dedication of all involved and meet the great team who voluntarily run the Long Buckby Youth Centre and look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on the community. I want to thank Ed Sellwood, COO and Co-Founder of VIY and Graham Blackburn, Senior Project Manager at VIY for giving me a show around the project, explaining what they have achieved here, introducing me to the fantastic VIY team and volunteer staff from the Centre.
If you are interested in sending your child who might need that extra bit of experience and support, it will be reopening in the next couple of weeks. Please get in contact with them on [email protected]
I also wish to thank Anna Norden Photography for her wonderful photos of today’s visit.
