New hub shows young people are valued - charity

An artist's impression of the new hub on Ipswich waterfront which is set to open in 2026

A charity boss said a new youth hub being set up in an unused building would show young people they were "valued".

4YP, which works with people aged between seven and 25, will eventually move from Lower Brook Street to the Regatta Quay building on the waterfront in Ipswich, Suffolk.

It comes after Ipswich Borough Council was able to purchase one of the building's units, which had been empty for over two years, through a £1.14m grant through the government's Towns Fund.

Rebekah Warnock, the chief executive of 4YP, said she hoped the new hub would be open by this time next year.

Unit six within Regatta Quay has been empty since Oasis Lounge closed in January 2023

"It'll be a place where young people can drop in and get support from youth workers and counsellors and other services," Ms Warnock said.

"It'll be a place where they can meet and have their counselling sessions in private rooms. Where they can do other activities - it could be sporting activities, it could be craft and creative activities.

"It'll be a one-stop shop for anything a young person might need, and obviously in a great location on the waterfront."

The building will be refurbished and improved before the youth hub opens in 2026

Ms Warnock said the waterfront was a "prominent" location, with it also being close to the University of Suffolk, which would improve accessibility to the charity.

She added the new hub would show young people that their "voice and opinion is important".

"They can be part of decision-making, changing processes, and being part of their community," she said.

"The fact that us and Ipswich Borough Council and others are prioritising that hopefully sends that message to them."

The Labour leader of the council, Neil MacDonald, said the project was a "great example" of how the funding could "breathe new life" into Ipswich.

"This investment from the Towns Fund demonstrates the council's commitment to regenerating Ipswich and bringing buildings back into use in a way that benefits the town," he added.