Community & Youth Hub Renovate Project, Salisbury

Unknown to many, there has been a silent exodus in Salisbury and the surrounding areas of 18-25 year olds. Over a third of this generation has been lost due to lack of opportunities, affordable shared housing, and safe spaces for them to gather; resulting in gentrification of the age group by gated retirement complexes. We carried out a recent survey where 8 of 10 youth said there wasn’t enough for them to do in the area. The Wiltshire PCC shared data with us, confirming that 38% of local crime is committed by the under 25 age group, costing a projected £12.5 million annually - by the few that are left - such that the PCC have increased their budget by £2.7 million. This demographic gap and related issues is costing the community, deprives the area of the vital culture that the youth bring, and may be part of the fact that Salisbury has twice the suicide rate of Swindon. 

Riverside House dates back to the mid 1800's but in 1937 started as a home for ‘difficult girls’, later becoming an orphanage and then repurposed as the Children and Family Resource Centre. Latterly it was the Youth Centre for Salisbury, in conjunction with the Princes Trust, but in 2016 government cuts led to its closure and it was left to become derelict. Our hope is to see Riverside House once again be a crutch for the community and one that is relevant, and addresses the issues of today. In doing so, we believe this will reverse the exodus of youth by hosting a youth hub, where they can have a dedicated and safe space, and find a vocation through mentoring and encouragement - so they can realise their dreams. 

Sadly, the houses were sold to be demolished and redeveloped into residential units by a private developer - but the sale didn't complete.  

Compelled to do something to redeem them and create new hope for the area, we created Rise Resound Rebuild as a Community Interest Company to renovate them for the community - not for private profit. Our vision is to revitalise Grosvenor & Riverside House into a vibrant community and youth hub to regenerate a thriving local culture. We've laid out plans to include a crèche, hot-desks, studios, skills exchange, and restaurant-café to afford running the youth hub. But we cannot do this on our own. 

Overall purchase, renovation and growth costs are up at £9 million over five years, but we've found a way so it can happen. Through government tax relief schemes and investment, the project has a real chance of delivering the goods, but to get to that stage we're asking for £26,700 to cover the cost of launching the project to date. That amount is wholly tradesmen, architects, and set up costs to enable two public showcases of the whole proposal and plan. Once those debts are paid, we need £400k by the 21st February to secure purchase of the property and open the door to the first phase of renovation. 

Will you help us?