A valuable community centre in North Huyton is receiving an extension featuring a dedicated youth space, thanks to a grant from the second phase of the Government’s Youth Investment Fund.
The works aim to allow young people to participate in recreational, vocational, and social activities, helping to address low employability, decreasing anti-social behaviour, and reduce exclusion in priority wards and neighbourhoods of Knowsley.
The extension at The Gate will enable North Huyton Communities Future (NHCF) to segregate general community use from an expanded programme of positive opportunities for young people within a tailored space to meet their social, educational, and employability needs.
After receiving a Youth Investment Fund grant; NHCF used Fusion21’s Youth Investment Fund Framework to appoint Ridge and Partners to project manage the build and Sterling Services as the contractor.
As part of Fusion21’s commitment to procurement with purpose, added social value on this project is taking place with Sterling Services taking on local 21-year-old Leighton Orr to work as a Trainee Operative on-site during the construction works.
Leighton lives a short walk from The Gate, and has been long-term unemployed. He has now completed several Health and Safety courses, and is supported by his mentor — Site Manager, Colin McGee — to ensure he has a full understanding of the technical aspects and relevant tools he is required to use.
In March, Leighton successfully completed a telehandler course, allowing him to undertake more duties. Sterling Services will continue to invest in his future as a permanent team member, following the completion of The Gate project.
Sarah Maguire, Head of Social Value at Fusion21, said: “This is a fantastic example of social value in action. Sterling Services has gone above and beyond to create opportunities for young people in this area, delivering on their social value commitments and changing lives along the way. We’re delighted to see Leighton getting the opportunity to benefit from this local construction project.”
Martin Newton from The Gate Project Design Group, commented: “This extension brings so many positive opportunities for young people in this community, from employability to mentoring support to sports and social facilities.
“We were determined to find contractors who were local and who would use the local community workforce on this project and Fusion21 has helped us more quickly to work with Sterling Services. Sixty-five per cent of contractors are within the Liverpool City Region and the prime contractor is within three miles of the site. It was crucial that they had the same ethos as us as well as that affinity with the area they’re working in.”
Paul Blennerhasset, from Sterling Services, added: “I was delighted when Sterling Services (Northern) Limited was selected via Fusion21’s Youth Investment Fund Framework to work in partnership with North Huyton Community Futures on The Gate project.
“Growing up in Page Moss and witnessing the continued positive transformation of the area, made me immensely proud as the MD of the company that my parents set up in 1988, to be chosen to deliver the new extension for The Gate. This new extension enhances the facility to enable it to continue delivering its incredible support for the benefit of the community.
“From our first introduction it was clear that Leighton has the attitude and commitment that we seek in our all employees. I am proud that we have been able to give Leighton this opportunity, providing a meaningful start in a hopefully long successful career in the industry.”
Header image: Trainee Operative Leighton Orr with Sterling Services (Northern) Limited
