Bright future beckons for Byker youth hub

A Newcastle-based youth organisation has unveiled a new community space.

The Lighthouse Project, at St Michael’s Church, in Byker, welcomed dozens of local residents for a preview event, giving young people and families a first look at the new facilities. 

The hub includes a purpose-built youth club, music and arts spaces, an e-sports suite and an outdoor sports area. 

More than 90 children from local schools and youth groups took part in a range of outdoor forest activities, as well as cookery classes, sports sessions, arts and crafts, music and breakdancing. 

Ben Roman, chief executive at The Lighthouse Project, said: “The idea for the Lighthouse Project first arose out of a passion for working with young people on the Byker Estate and a frustration with the lack of purpose-built facilities in the area to support this work.

“To see this idea becoming a reality and to be able to witness the reaction of people coming through the doors for the first time was brilliant for the whole Lighthouse Project team and we’re so excited at where we’re going from here.”

Funded by a £4.2 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s Youth Investment Fund and substantial funding from the Lord Crewe Trust and The Squires Foundation, the hub is expected to support more than 1500 young people and families each year.

The venue will offer homework clubs, wellbeing programmes and youth services in partnership with local organisations. 

Ben added: “Our showcase day gave us a chance to share this wonderful venue with the local community for the first time and to give people a taste of all the different things that are going to be happening at the Lighthouse Project.

“This is a landmark, long-term project that’s winning the support of a growing number of grant-giving organisations and North East businesses, and it has the potential to deliver a huge range of benefits for the people of Byker and the wider city.”

An official opening event is expected to take place later in the year.

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