In June 2023, Prax Foundation Roots, in close partnership with Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, announced their support as founder patrons to Onside Horizon Youth Zone. The Foundation has agreed to an annual £100,000 contribution for the next four years.
Key stakeholders (including Prax Foundation Roots) and major supporters of the new state-of-the-art youth centre in Grimsby, recently visited the site of this pioneering project to see how construction firm Hobson & Porter’s work is progressing, with the finished Youth Zone due to open in Autumn 2025.
Welcoming the guests on site was Horizon’s Young People’s Development Group – a group of local young people who meet weekly with youth workers, developing their skills through tailored experiences, and who play an integral part in making key decisions about the Youth Zone and its future.
The Youth Zone is being constructed on a disused site, which was formerly home to the West Haven Maltings and Migar House buildings, and is being transformed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter. The company is restoring and repurposing the Grade II Listed 19th century maltings and grain stores as part of the project, as well as building a major new sports hall alongside a large outdoor multi-use games area.
When it opens next year, Horizon will become part of a network of 15 existing Onside Youth Zones operating across the UK and will be filled with energy, inspiration, and highly skilled youth workers who truly believe in young people.
North East Lincolnshire’s young people – aged between 8 and 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs – will be able to access over 20 activities each evening. These activities range from sports such as football, boxing and climbing, to creative arts, music, drama and employability training – all for just £5 annual membership and 50p per visit. The aim is to give them the chance to thrive and discover their passion and purpose.
Lucy Ottewell-Key, CEO of Horizon Youth Zone, said: “We couldn’t deliver this hugely ambitious project without the generous support of the many organisations, local businesses and our Founder Patron donors. It was therefore an honour to welcome them onto the site so they can see how work is progressing and share our vision for how the development will look and function. We now have a very exciting 12 months ahead as we approach completion.”
The community of supporters welcomed onto the site were able to mark just how far the development has come, whilst getting an insight into the complexities and uniqueness of this flagship project. The intricate task of combining the heritage works with the new-build elements will create an incredible state-of-the-art facility which, it is hoped, will genuinely change lives for the better. After completion, it’s estimated that Horizon could benefit up to 4,000 young people from North East Lincolnshire each year.
