Horizon Youth Zone celebrates its volunteers
They have been celebrated
Grimsby’s newest youth centre is celebrating the contribution of its volunteers. The Horizon Youth Zone officially opened in February at the Grade II-listed West Haven Maltings, and now has almost 4,000 young people as members.
June 1-7 marks volunteers’ week nationally and the Youth Zone has wanted to celebrate the difference its volunteers make. The centre has 70 paid staff and 15 core staff, but it is supported also by 32 volunteers.
In May alone, 294.5 hours were volunteered at Horizon Youth Zone, its volunteer coordinator, Helena Gollings, said. The centre hosted another volunteer recruitment event on Wednesday.
It also encourages people to apply online or get in touch if interested in volunteering with it. “The roles of the volunteers varies, depending on what that volunteer wants to come for, what their interests are and what their comfortability levels are,” she explained. “We have a massive array of different activities here, so I have some volunteers that come in just to do a certain activity, like arts or the rock climbing.
“And then there’s people like Laura, that are just all-round powerhouses of the community,” she said, paying tribute to Laura Wood, a volunteer. She joined as the centre opened, having previously had a management and leadership background in shipping at Immingham.
“The reason I wanted to come and volunteer, I believe that all children no matter their background deserve to be seen and valued,” said Ms Wood.
“I love to be a part of everything, I try and go around all of the different activities, because for me, it’s all about connecting and building those relationships with young people,” she added, picking out Sports Hall-based activities as a favourite given her own value on mental health and wellbeing for young people.
Ms Wood also gave a couple of examples of making a significant positive difference to youngsters attending the Youth Zone. This included helping a boy who she rated as a very good badminton player, but was getting frustrated with missing shots.
She said she told him: “There’s no such thing as failing, it’s first attempt at learning and, as long as you continue to play and continue to grow and develop, then you’re going to learn new skills along the way. His mindset just changed like that.”
Ms Wood urged people considering volunteering at Horizon Youth Zone to not hesitate. “If you’re already thinking about it, that’s your sign, get here. Because you’re going to become part of something big, a team, a purpose and a place where you feel valued, and that’s why you should become a volunteer.”
“You’re learning new skills every time you come, you’re supporting the young people in the community and it’s just an incredible feeling.” Ms Gollings said of marking volunteers’ week: “For me, it’s an opportunity to let our volunteers know how amazing they are and actually that the time and energy they’re putting in, showing up and engaging with our young people is so worth it and so necessary.”
She added: “We are in a fortunate position where we can open the doors without our volunteers, but it’s nowhere near as fun, or as interesting without you all.”
Benefits of being a volunteer include being able to have the £1 meals linked to sessions, and like staff, free use of the gym during the daytime. Five volunteers have already been placed on paid bank shifts too.
Both also emphasised the benefit and privilege of helping and seeing young people develop and grow. “I absolutely love seeing the connections and relationships building but just seeing them grow and becoming confident,” said Ms Wood. “We’re here to support them and show that there is a world out there and you can become whatever you want to become.”
Young people from every council ward use the Horizon Youth Zone
The Horizon Youth Zone had 3,954 members as of Friday, May 29, showing the centre’s value to young people and families. This includes young people from all 15 North East Lincolnshire Council wards.
The centre was built with funding and support from a variety of sources, including the council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Government Youth Investment Fund cash and £1m from renewable energy giant Ørsted. It is the sponsor for the Youth Zone’s future maker room workshop space.
This will open later this year and the LDRS was shown a sneak peek on latest progress, including multiple 3D printers lined up for it.