A group of young people from Dagenham, including students with special educational needs and disabilities, have gained hands-on experience in construction by taking part in the refurbishment of Future Youth Zone. The refurbishment work has been undertaken thanks to a £30,000 investment from award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group and not-for-profit housing association Peabody, the joint venture partnership delivering the first phase of the Dagenham Green development.
Twelve students took part in the project through Barking and Dagenham Council’s Skills Builder Programme, which offers young people aged 16–18 valuable experience in the construction industry. Over two weeks, the trainees worked alongside skilled professionals from Hill, to refresh parts of the youth centre, which has welcomed more than 17,000 young people since opening six years ago.
Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe and David Harley, Director for Inclusive Growth of Barking and Dagenham Council, recently visited Future Youth Zone with Hill and Peabody to see the refurbishment in progress and meet the students involved. David praised the Skills Builder initiative, which provides practical skills across multiple trades, insight into a range of construction careers and work experience in a range of community-focused projects. After successfully completing the programme, the trainees will be offered a route into apprenticeships and employment with ongoing support from the council’s B&D Works jobs service.
Operating as an independent charity, Future Youth Zone is open every day of the year to young people aged 8–19, and up to 25 for those with disabilities or learning difficulties. With its ethos of “somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to”, the youth club provides a safe and inspiring space where young people can try new activities, meet friends, and raise their aspirations.
Gershom Clarke, CEO, Future Youth Zone, said: “We are hugely grateful to The Hill Group, Peabody, their contractors and the young people on the Skills Builder programme for their hard work at Future Youth Zone. Since opening six years ago, more than 17,000 young people have come through our doors to find somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to in a space that is safe and inspiring to spend their free time. Naturally, some parts of the building were beginning to show wear and tear. We believe young people deserve the very best, so to have a team of skilled professionals dedicate their time and expertise to refreshing the Youth Zone has been incredible. It’s also inspiring to see Skills Builder participants, including our own members, gaining valuable work experience in the process. Thank you to everyone who helped make this transformation possible.”
Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “Skills Builder is a fantastic programme which is much needed in Barking and Dagenham. I’m really pleased to see Hill and Peabody supporting the students and Future Youth Zone with the construction work.”
Cole, a student on the Skills Builder initiative, commented: “It was a humbling experience that gave me a real appreciation for the skill, precision and hard work that goes into the trades, and how essential they are to the projects that I will hopefully survey in the future.”
The £30,000 investment by Hill and Peabody to fund the works at Future Youth Zone comes as the joint venture partners move forward with the first phase of Dagenham Green, which will include new homes – where the first resident will soon move in – and a new public park. Dagenham Green is a major new mixed-use neighbourhood for East London. Phase one and future phases will deliver about 3,500 homes half of which will be affordable. There will also be 10 acres of green space, a secondary school, medical centre, shops, cafés and other community amenities, located on the site of the former Ford factory, next to Dagenham Dock station.
Paul Ansell, Project Director at The Hill Group, said: “We are committed to investing in the communities where we are building. This partnership with the council and Future Youth Zone is a perfect example of how we can support local young people to develop new skills while making a real difference in their community.”
Cecile Bouchet, Economic Inclusion Lead for North-East London at Peabody, said: “Seeing young people get such valuable hands-on experience while helping to improve a well-used local facility has been fantastic. But just as importantly, programmes like Skills Builder are helping to equip the next generation with the skills our industry urgently needs to deliver the thousands of homes needed across London. Construction skills are vital for the future – not only to meet the demand for new homes and to maintain existing ones, but to ensure local people can access the opportunities that regeneration brings. Supporting this initiative alongside Hill is an important part of our long-term investment in Dagenham Green and the wider community.”
For further information about Dagenham Green, visit www.dagenhamgreen.co.uk
