FWP completes life-changing youth support project

By Rob Kelly

08 Jul 2025

Boat House Youth Centre

A Blackpool youth centre that changes the lives of young people in one of the most challenging areas of the UK has undergone a major transformation.

 Grange Park Youth Centre, operated by The Boathouse Youth charity, has doubled in size and has been given a full makeover in a nine-month project led by FWP.

The Boathouse Youth, an award-winning organisation, offers a vital service – giving children and young people access to experiences, support, and opportunities that many of us take for granted.

From days out to hot meals, the charity creates safe, inspiring spaces where young people can simply be kids.

The charity’s mission is to ensure every young person on the Fylde Coast has access to effective youth provision within 15-20 minutes walking distance.

Its range of facilities and youth work programmes are co-produced with young people to enable them to lead their best lives and become the very best versions of themselves.

The extension and refurbishment of the centre on the Grange Park estate is part of a £2.2m capital investment in The Boathouse Youth centres across the area that got underway last year.

The Grange Park centre has now doubled in size after being awarded a £500,000 grant from the Youth Investment Fund. Work included the demolition of part of the original building and the construction of new extensions on three sides.

The aim of the project was to create a fit-for-purpose modern facility for the estate’s youngsters and the work included a full interior makeover.

A small focus group of young people was also created to help to formulate ideas relating to the newly extended spaces.

FWP, headquartered in Preston, provided architecture, project management, quantity surveying, mechanical and electrical engineering, building surveying, and CDM services.

Blackpool based Bambers Remedial Contractors were also involved in the project, carrying out pre-construction site work.

David Robinson, managing director at leading architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP, which also has offices in Manchester and London, said: “We’re proud to support projects that genuinely change lives.

“This wasn’t a high-spec, big-budget build. Much of what was delivered was made possible through donations from funders and the companies directly involved in the project.

“It was a true community effort built on goodwill, collaboration, and shared purpose.”

He added: “We would like to thank the whole team at The Boathouse Youth for the incredible work that they do for young people in the community and to Bambers Remedial Contractors and all those who helped bring this project to life.”

Sarah Lindsay, head of youth services at The Boathouse Youth, said: “We’re so grateful to the Youth Investment Fund, FWP, and all those involved in transforming our Grange Park Youth Centre.

“This upgrade brings our strategy to life giving local young people a safe, youth-led space where they feel valued, supported and inspired. Thank you for supporting us in creating real change in this community.”

Josh Fowler, who attends the Grange Park Youth Centre, is among many young people whose lives have been transformed by The Boathouse Youth and its work.

He said: “Coming to the Boathouse has really improved my confidence. It has brought together a community of all these young people who are doing something far more with their lives – it’s something better to do than being out on the street.

“The residential trips are also a big thing in Boathouse. It’s nice to take young people somewhere different so they can be something else and have more space.

“It’s a fun and educational environment. It really helps young people, for example with basic life skills such as cooking. For me, building my confidence through Boathouse has been a huge thing – and it helps to have a nice environment to do that in.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Tourism Unsung Hero finalists revealed Jenny Moss Kate Pollard Peter Martland Andy Black

Tourism Unsung Hero finalists revealed

01 Oct 2025

2

Basil's in the pink Basil Newby

Basil's in the pink

30 Sep 2025

3

Celebrating the Women building Britain’s business future at The Enterprise Vision Awards The 2025 Enterprise Vision Award winners

Celebrating the Women building Britain’s business future at The Enterprise Vision Awards

30 Sep 2025

4

Business School recruits three industry leaders to embed employer led innovation into courses University of Lancashire recruit business leaders Rob Binns, Miranda Barker and Marcello Trovati new

Business School recruits three industry leaders to embed employer led innovation into courses

30 Sep 2025

5

Third letting at Frontier Burnley is completed Frontier Park in Burnley CRC Evans

Third letting at Frontier Burnley is completed

30 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Future of Work: Tech, teams and thriving in a changing world
Oct PTC.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
07 Oct 2025 - 07 Oct 2025

The Future of Work: Tech, teams and thriving in a changing world

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – October
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 Oct 2025 - 07 Oct 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – October

Soul Bowl, Morecambe, LA4 4BU

08:00 - 10:00

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace
Muted Blue (4).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
08 Oct 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:30

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin