Peter Aldous has welcomed the announcement from the Government that young people across Waveney are to benefit from the rebuilding and renovation of youth services in some of the country’s most disadvantaged areas, as beneficiaries of the first major tranche from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund have been announced.

The Seagull Theatre in Lowestoft is set to be transformed by £518,000 in funding as part of a £90 million investment into 43 youth centres from the Government. This comes from the £300 million of total funding for the Youth Investment Fund.

Small community youth spaces, youth centres large and small, and activity centres will all benefit from this fund.

The transformative fund launched in 2022 by the Government will pave the way for up to 300 youth facilities to be built or refurbished over the next three years in areas where need is high and existing youth provision is low.

One million extra hours of youth services will be provided in anti-social behaviour hotspots across the country as part of the Government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan through an £11 million investment.

This fund also constitutes part of the Government’s plan to tackle anti-social behaviour and help young people become active members of their local community. The Youth Investment Fund will increase the number of young people accessing regular, positive activities by 45,000 per year, support their wellbeing and give them opportunities to develop vital skills for life.

The Government has also approved £16.9 million of funding to expand access to uniformed youth groups, aiming to create 20,000 new places for young people aged between 10-18 across the country. This funding will also be focused in areas where young people are most at risk of being drawn into anti-social behaviour.

Commenting, Peter Aldous said:

“I’m thrilled to be supporting the Seagull Theatre to help young people across Lowestoft. This investment will allow the Seagull Theatre to offer more activities and opportunities for young people here in Lowestoft.

“I am confident this fund will enormously benefit the mental and physical wellbeing of our young people.”

Commenting, 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 National Youth Guarantee will provide these opportunities and support young people with access to regular club activities, adventures away from home and volunteering opportunities.

“We are supporting this today with an investment to create or renovate spaces for youth clubs and activities to support opportunities for thousands of young people across the country who would otherwise miss out.”