Horizon Youth Zone is Officially Open

Horizon, Grimsby Youth Zone opened its doors on Saturday 14 February, welcoming hundreds of young people and their families from across North East Lincs! Guests celebrated in style with confetti, incredible activities, and even the unveiling of a specially-commissioned poem by poet laureate Simon Armitage.

CEO Lucy Ottewell-Key was joined by Chair of the Board Jason Stockwood, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Philip Jackson, Interim CEO of North East Lincolnshire Council and Horizon Trustee Sharon Wroot, Great Grimsby & Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn, Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Janet Goodwin, Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Toby Dennis, Director for North of England at The National Lottery Heritage Fund Helen Featherstone, and young people from Horizon’s Young People’s Development Group (YPDG) to officially declare the Youth Zone open.

At 11am Ambition, a new poem by poet laureate Simon Armitage, commissioned for the young people of North East Lincs by, was unveiled. The poem has been turned into a mural for the sports hall wall by local street artist Ollie Marshall, who worked with young people from the YPDG to bring the poem to life.

Then it was fully over to the young people, with over twenty activities taking place in their new, state-of-the-art space. Horizon’s expert youth work team were on hand to guide them through everything from scaling the climbing wall, to creating music in the music room and recording studio, to expressing themselves through arts and crafts, dance and drama.

Membership costs £5 per year and just 50p per visit. The Youth Zone will host junior sessions on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays, with senior sessions taking place on Wednesdays, Friday and Saturdays. SEND sessions will also be available on Sundays.

The Youth Zone is housed within the beautifully restored and repurposed Grade II listed West Haven Maltings and Migar House. It was transformed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, to preserve the town’s heritage while creating a modern, accessible space.

CEO Lucy Ottewell-Key said: “When I first stepped into this role, I was proud simply to have been entrusted with the opportunity. What has followed has been nothing short of transformative. I am immensely proud of the team we’ve built.

Together, we have cultivated partnerships that are not only operationally effective but strategically meaningful relationships that extend our reach, deepen our credibility, and expand the possibilities ahead of us. The building itself has become a symbol of that: a space that is welcoming, inclusive, and full of life; a place that young people recognize as theirs.”

To sign up and join the fun, visit: https://www.horizonyouthzone.org/become-a-member/

The Youth Zone has been made possible through partnerships with North East Lincolnshire Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK Youth Investment Fund, St James Charitable Trust, Architectural Heritage Fund, Historic England, OnSide Youth Zones, Greencoat UK Wind, Ørsted, and local businesses and philanthropists who have joined our Founder Patron family. Find out more: www.horizonyouthzone.org/support-us/our-supporters