The Hive community centre in Silsden is expanding its provision for children, young people and families following the closure of The Bees Knees Pre-school.
The independent charity has been making changes to the building, including creating a new Activity & Youth Room and securing National Lottery funding for a new Youth Project Lead.
The former pre-school room has been transformed into a flexible space for youth sessions, parent and child activities and community groups.
The new Youth Project Lead will help develop The Buzz Youth Club and expand the centre’s wider youth provision, while also supporting longer-term projects including plans for a pump track.
Centre Manager Jill Cook said the funding would allow The Hive to build on the work already taking place with young people in Silsden.
“We're absolutely delighted to have received this funding from The National Lottery Community Fund,”.
“The Buzz has shown us just how important local youth provision is, and having a dedicated Youth Project Lead will give us the capacity to build on what we've already started.”
The Hive also wants young people to have a say in how the centre’s future projects are developed.
Meanwhile, plans for a new indoor Play Village have been delayed while the charity works to secure the remaining funding needed for refurbishment and equipment.
The project is still going ahead, but The Hive says it does not want the space to remain unused while fundraising continues.
Instead, an interim play provision is due to open three mornings a week, using toys and play equipment already available at the centre.
Jill said:
“It won't be the finished Play Village just yet, but it will be somewhere welcoming and affordable for families to come together, have a cuppa and let their children play.”
The charity hopes the temporary provision will give local families an opportunity to use the space while fundraising continues for the full Play Village.
The Hive has also highlighted the financial challenges involved in running the centre as an independent charity.
It is not run or funded by Bradford Council, although it does receive some funding from Bradford Council, Silsden Town Council and other public bodies.
Much of this funding is restricted to specific projects or services and cannot be used to cover the centre’s general running costs.
The National Lottery funding for the Youth Project Lead, for example, must be used for that particular role and cannot be transferred to cover other expenses.
The Hive says its everyday costs include heating and electricity, insurance, cleaning, maintenance and administration.
As a result, the charity relies on unrestricted income from room hire, activities, events, fundraising and donations to help keep the centre operating.
Jill said community support was particularly important in helping to cover costs that are not met through project grants.
“When someone books a room, attends one of our events, supports a fundraiser or makes a donation, that income is incredibly valuable because it helps us meet the costs that aren't covered by project grants,”.
“There is a lot to be positive about.
"We have a new Activity & Youth Room, funding for a Youth Project Lead, plans to develop The Buzz and our wider youth provision, and we're opening a play space for younger families while continuing to work towards the full Play Village.
“But all of those things need somewhere to happen – and that means we also have to make sure The Hive itself is sustainable.”
The Hive is encouraging local residents and businesses to support the charity by volunteering, fundraising, attending events, booking rooms, using its facilities or making a donation.
Donations to The Hive Regeneration Project can be made through its online fundraising page.
Further details about the three-mornings-a-week play provision, the Youth Project Lead role and upcoming activities are expected to be announced shortly.
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