Sheffield has received £2.5 million from a £90 million fund to develop facilities at six youth clubs across the city.

Each centre will get a percentage of the cash which is being administered by Sheffield City Council to create better, sustainable facilities.

Myra Johnson, Interim Communications Consultant At Social Investment Business said: “For every youth centre it’s all about extending the opportunities for young people locally.

“Youth Centres are for young people to have fun, gain life skills and have somewhere to go.”

The Youth Investment Fund has announced over £8 million in Refurbishment Grants to over 80 youth services and there will be more in the future. 

In a statement to press, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills.”

The Grant can cover renovation of roof works, accessibility adjustments, new kitchens and anything else that will improve the youth service to help young people’s experience in the youth centre. 

The investment will focus on youth services in the most neglected regions of the country, where demand is significant but there is limited access.

Nick Temple, CEO of Social Investment Business said in a press release: “It is so exciting to see the first Youth Investment Fund projects open their doors to young people, giving them every opportunity to make friends, have fun, discover their passions, and thrive.”

The initiative seeks to ensure that all youth have equal opportunities, aiming to boost participation in positive activities by 45,000 young people annually. 

The Refurbishment Grant programme was established to support smaller youth services who did not have the capacity to apply for a large Youth Investment Fund capital grant but wanted to improve their centres and help them reach more young people.