We're still collecting donations
On the 19th December 2022 we'd raised £3,565 with 52 supporters in 42 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
+ est. £491.25
To raise the final £20k to build a 3G 11 v 11 all-weather pitch, renovate the pavilion and build a new community space. Already £1.2M raised
by Janice McKay Monty in Birkenhead, Merseyside, United Kingdom
On the 19th December 2022 we'd raised £3,565 with 52 supporters in 42 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Our Vision
Shaftesbury Youth Club (SYC) has been providing services to local young people & their families for over 130 years. It is the second oldest Youth Club in England, and our mission is to inspire young people to achieve their potential.
It is a purpose-built youth and community centre, open 7 days a week, provides community and education programmes based around the following themes: sports participation, youth and community engagement, social education, health and well-being, including emotional well-being. It sits on 14 acres of playing fields and in the main building there are 3 classrooms, media suite, multi-purpose youth club area, dance studio, gymnasium with a boulder climbing wall and an art room.
The nature of our work is varied but more importantly it is targeted at working with children, young people, and families of Wirral. SYC deliver numerous projects such as our Chance for Change an emotional well-being programme for 5–11-year-olds and a variety of diverse activities using the power of football, sport and engagement to reach a multitude of vulnerable groups.
SYC is an FA England Accredited Club with 20 registered SYC teams who play on a regular basis along with the following. Our current 2 small sided 3G’s are full, with demand outweighing supply and we are continually receiving requests for pitch and training time that we cannot accommodate.
The project idea
We have already raised £1.2M towards the old pavilion and purpose built 11x11 3G pitch thanks to Steve Morgan Foundation, Johnson Foundation, PHHolt Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Bernard Sunley Foundation, Sport England, Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund (Merseyside), Eleanor Rathbone Trust and the Football Foundation. It was built in 1933 and is no longer fit for purpose. It is old, in need of repair and men and women cannot use it the same time nor is it not inclusive for wheelchair users. SYC has a long held an aspiration to develop as a community sports/football hub to address the lack of quality football facilities in Birkenhead and believes the development of an 11v11 3G and upgraded pavilion will provide significant benefits for Wirral as a whole. The facility is essential to the future growth and impact of our charity. This will help us raise our profile in Wirral and strengthen our relationship with the communities we serve.
However, over the last few years the club has suffered due to an increase in rainfall which impacts on the pitches and income. There has been less investment, in part due to there being less grants available for the upkeep of these facilities and a reduction in income. The installation of an AGP will further attract additional young people into sport.
Partnership Working
SYC is committed to working in partnership to further develop a youth and community hub in Birkenhead to provide improved facilities for grassroots leagues and clubs and enhance its work for the benefit of the community. This site will create an exciting opportunity to develop a thriving football hub in the heart of Birkenhead, providing new and improved facilities for local clubs and leagues, enhancing our community programme and ensuring a sustainable future.
Social Inclusion
SYC is committed to removing barriers to participation and its policy is that no session will cost more than £4, discounted for those on low income or single parent families. Where possible, social inclusion and mental health activities are free to attend. The development of this is part of our overall strategy to be more inclusive especially for people with an additional need and girls and women. We continuously work closely with the local community to identify unmet need and engage with them in developing this project particularly those living in deprived areas.
Please donate, share and offer a reward.
Donate grab a reward, share on social media platforms, amongst your contacts, etc.
If you are a local business donate a reward to encourage others to give.
Help us to continue another 135 years plus of Shaftesbury Youth Club.
This project offered rewards