The youth club opened in Dagenham by Prince Harry in May has seen its 4,000th member join in its first two months.
Future Youth Zone, on the edge of Parsloes Park, was opened by the Duke of Sussex in an official ceremony and has since gone from strength to strength seeing more than 20,000 visits during that time, an average of five visits per member
The venue gives young people access top-class facilities such as a four-court sports hall, 3G kick pitch, giant climbing wall, music room with a recording studio, performing arts studio, gym, art room and much more. It is open every night of the week and costs just 50p per visit.
Activities are led by all of the 35 volunteers who help run the centre and it has been funded by several organisations including Barking and Dagenham Council, the Jack Petchey Foundation, The Queen’s Trust and The Seroussi Foundation.
On top of that, the annual £1.3 million running costs are provided through contributions from local businesses, grants and philanthropists.
Recently the centre hosted a talent competition with members having the chance to perform at the Royal Albert Hall alongside other youngsters.
CEO Gavin Evans said: “Since opening Future Youth Zone, the energy and enthusiasm from all the stakeholders involved in the Youth Zone has been incredible.
“We will continue to be ambitious for the young people of this borough because they deserve the very best.”
Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council – which funded half of the building’s £6.15 million construction costs is delighted with how successful the centre has been so far.
He said: “It’s fantastic to see these numbers and to know that so many of our young people are benefiting from these facilities.
“There is no other centre like this in east London and the investment we are putting in is having a real positive effect on the local community.”
