News / KNowle West
Building work starts on state-of-the-art youth centre
Construction work has started on a new £11m youth centre which will provide state-of-the-art facilities for young people in south Bristol.
224 Youth Zone will offer more than 20 different activities from sports to creative arts and employability training.
Once the building in Knowle West opens in 2026, membership will be £5 for the whole year and 50p per visit.
is needed now More than ever
On Thursday, supporters gathered at the site close to the roundabout connecting Hartcliffe Way and Hengrove Way to mark the work beginning.
They included 224 Youth Zone ambassadors, Bristol Bears rugby player Ellis Genge, musician Geoff Barrow and filmmaker Paul Holbrook, alongside lord lieutenant Peaches Golding.
Genge said: “I grew up about 400 metres away and, as a local lad, this organisation means the world to me.
“I genuinely don’t think people understand the challenges of being a youngster from Knowle.
“I had to travel over an hour every single week to get to training at Westbury for Bristol and it was hard.
“Having a space like this will provide youngsters with opportunity and, who knows, hopefully we find a few more diamonds in the West, and see them playing for Bristol in the future!”
Due to open in 2026, 224 Youth Zone will enable Youth Moves to support an additional 4,000 young people in Bristol – image: Youth Moves
The name of the youth centre was decided through a vote with 4,250 young people taking part.
The tagline behind this name is ‘Today, Tomorrow, Forever’, reflective of the centre’s aim to enrich young people’s lives, giving them more opportunity now and in the future.
The facility is being funded private and public sector contributions including Bristol City Council, the government’s Youth Investment Fund and St James Place Charitable Foundation.
Construction is now underway at 224 Youth Zone in Knowle West – photo: Stella Rogers
Sheltered from the drizzle on Thursday, those in attendance could enjoy a cup of tea whilst chatting with 224’s youth ambassadors.
Whilst speaking to Finn, a 17-year-old youth ambassador from South Bristol, I was particularly impressed with both his charisma and public speaking skills, and he credited this to working with Youth Moves.
Finn said: “I’m a lot more relaxed now with talking to new people. Now it just comes so easily…
“The main reason I wanted to get involved with the youth development group is all throughout my childhood I’ve been seeing a lack of opportunity for young people.
“It’s disappointing because I know the young people are the future.”
“I know that every young person can bring someone to the table. It’s just a matter of when they don’t have a place to put that energy.”
Many at the event believed that the youth centre would play a vital role in remedying this feeling among Bristol’s youth.
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Skye, a youth group worker from Knowle, said that youth centres can “change the kids’ lives with building relationships”.
She explained that inviting youth group spaces with something for everything is key to tackling widespread feelings of isolation for young people.
Geoff Barrow of Portishead and Beak> said: “Without the local youth club to rehearse at and DJ, things would have been very different in my musical life so I understand how vital these new facilities – alongside great youth work – will be to local kids in helping them to engage with their creative talent.”
Filwood councillor, Rob Logan, added: “The new 224 Youth Zone is a vote of confidence in the future, and in Bristol’s amazing young people.
“It will be a destination of choice for young people from across south Bristol, and will be something the whole community is engaged with and can be proud of.”
Main photo: Stella Rogers
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