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

St Annes thrives with strongest August footfall in years St Annes Square footfall

St Annes thrives with strongest August footfall in years

26 Oct 2025

2

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action BAE Systems production

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action

23 Oct 2025

3

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West Nick Miles, National Cyber Force deputy director for Samlesbury

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West

23 Oct 2025

4

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund Foresight announces £90 million first close of its third dedicated North West regional investment fund

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund

23 Oct 2025

5

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win Warehouse Supervisor at Pets Choice Brad Eddleston and McMurrays Sales Manager Rob Spencer. Photo credit: McMurrays Haulage Limited

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win

21 Oct 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 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

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

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

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The AI Lab: E-commerce
Ai Lab ecommerce (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

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