The Prince’s Trust Doug Barrowman Centre was officially opened on the 18th September 2019 and is located at Beehive Mill in Ancoats, the former home of iconic nightclub Sankeys. The State of the Art Centre will build on The Trust’s existing presence in Greater Manchester and significantly increase support for unemployed young people in the area. The regional hub, which houses 50 members of the Prince’s Trust staff, will provide 3,000 young people per year the facilities to connect them with even more opportunities to develop the confidence and skills they need to get into work, education and training.
Plans for the Centre were drawn up in collaboration with a young person-led design group to ensure the creation of a vibrant, inspirational and innovative space in which young people can connect and thrive. It follows the opening of new Centres in Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham, and further demonstrates the charity’s vision to support young people in their local communities.
The launch of the new Centre comes at a time when many young people in the area are feeling apprehensive about their future prospects. The Trust’s 2019 Youth Index report, which measures the happiness and confidence of young people across the UK, revealed that more than a third of young people in Greater Manchester don’t feel in control of their life and almost three quarters say their generation is less certain about future employment than their parents’ generation.
The Opening Ceremony was attended by Doug Barrowman who is a long-term supporter of The Prince’s Trust and was invited to unveil the Centre’s plaque. The launch welcomed Young Ambassadors to take supporters on tours of the new space, alongside hosting a number of Trust-supported young people who have launched their own business with the help of the Enterprise programme.
Clare Crabb, Regional Director for the North of England at The Prince’s Trust, said: “We are thrilled to open the doors of this new Centre in Manchester, which will enable us to increase the number of programmes we run in the heart of the city and across the region. At The Prince’s Trust, we believe that every young person should have the chance to succeed, and this flagship hub will give even more young people across Greater Manchester the opportunity to make the most of their talents and take the next steps in their education or career.”
Doug Barrowman, who donated £2million in total to the Princes Trust, £1million just prior to the formation of the Foundation and £1million from the Foundation, said: “The aim of The Foundation is to support charities that reach those young people within society who are most in need of support. I have been aware of the work of The Prince’s Trust for a long time now and our shared values make them an obvious fit. This new Centre will enable The Trust to give even more young people in Greater Manchester the chance of a better future and we are proud to be playing a part in that.”
Three in four young people supported by The Trust move into work, education or training.