The Inspire and Achieve Foundation has received an £80,000 boost to continue refurbishing Mansfield Youth Hub in Mansfield Woodhouse. The funding comes from the Government's Pride in Place Impact Fund and was distributed by Mansfield District Council.

Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams and Mansfield MP Steve Yemm handed over the cheque for the funding. The money will support Phase 2 of the hub's refurbishment, scheduled to run between now and February 2027.

What the funding will pay for

The £80,000 will enable improvements including:

  • Full disability access, including a platform lift, ramps and wider doors
  • An accessible life-skills kitchen
  • A new classroom and community training space
  • An IT suite

The Inspire and Achieve Foundation has already invested £44,000 in Phase 1 of the refurbishment. Young users of the hub and volunteers will be involved in the design and decoration of Phase 2.

Who the hub supports

The hub on Yorke Street supports disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 26, particularly those not in education, employment or training. The refurbishment aims to increase the building's capacity and turn it into a high-quality, accessible multi-purpose community facility.

The project is expected to benefit more than 300 young people and more than 1,000 family members and volunteers each year. It addresses youth unemployment, deprivation, poor mental health, digital poverty and the shortage of safe, accessible support spaces.

What leaders said

Mayor Abrahams said: "The young people have truly blossomed through the opportunities this has created. While it may be capital funding for a physical structure, it changes the environment and the feel of a place, and that, in turn, has a real impact on the people who use it."

MP Steve Yemm said the funding had paid for better disability access, a new IT suite, a life-skills kitchen and more space for learning and mentoring. "It was great to meet the young people who use the hub and hear what a difference it's made," he said.

Pippa Carter, Director of Inspire and Achieve, said the funding had improved accessibility, enhanced digital services and increased capacity to support more people. "Most of all, it has created a real sense of belonging by providing facilities such as the kitchen, which is the heart of the home for our charity, and a safe space to support some of the mental health challenges that young people face," she said.