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Network Ryde Awarded Youth Investment Fund Grant To Transform Services For Young Islanders

Network Ryde has been awarded a transformational Youth Investment Fund grant to renovate St Thomas’ Church for young people across the Island.

The Youth Investment Fund grant of £578,000 will transform Network Ryde’s services for young people.

It means work can start on site this month and the new facility should open its doors to young people by early Summer 2024.

Young people supported by Network Ryde played a key role in developing this exciting new project.

Young people have been integral at every step of the process, seeing the building before purchasing it, working with the architects, and supporting with the application to the Youth Investment Fund.

It is welcome news for young people supported by Network Ryde who will benefit from the generous funding and means Network Ryde will be able to support another 200 young people when the project is complete.

Network Ryde’s new home will offer much needed room for sports activities, gaming areas, a fully working kitchen, accessible bathroom and washing facilities, confidential spaces, and quiet study areas.

It will also have an outdoor garden space to encourage nature, with seating, and bike storage.

Network Ryde is one of 43 youth services in England to benefit from the first wave of Youth Investment Fund grants.

It is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the charity Social Investment Business.

Michael Lilley, Ryde’s Mayor, said:

"Due to the success of Network Ryde we realised our young people needed a larger venue so we could respond to their needs, ambitions and vision.

"This has been achieved by the hard work and dedication of a small professional team and I wish to thank them so much on behalf of the Ryde community.

"Ryde is becoming a beacon of opportunity and hope and belief in the talent of our young people."

The Youth Investment Fund is actively welcoming expressions of interest for youth service projects at any scale or stage of development for new/renewed facilities that will deliver positive outcomes for young people in selected eligible areas in England.

Eligible youth service projects can apply now, with applications open until the final grant committee in March 2024.

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