A group of young people from Dagenham, including students with special educational needs and disabilities, have gained valuable hands-on experience in construction as part of a refurbishment project at Future Youth Zone.
The works were delivered through Barking and Dagenham Council’s Skills Builder Programme, which gives young people aged 16 - 18 practical experience in the construction industry. The refurbishment was made possible thanks to a £30,000 investment from The Hill Group and Peabody, the joint venture partners behind the nearby Dagenham Green development.
Over two weeks, twelve students worked alongside skilled professionals from Hill to refresh parts of the youth centre, which has welcomed more than 17,000 young people since opening six years ago.
Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said:
“Skills Builder is a fantastic programme which is much needed in Barking and Dagenham. I’m really pleased to see Hill and Peabody supporting the students and Future Youth Zone with the construction work.”
The council’s Inclusive Growth team, alongside Hill and Peabody, recently visited Future Youth Zone to see the refurbishment in progress and meet the students involved. The Skills Builder initiative provides practical skills across multiple trades, insight into a range of construction careers, and work experience in community-focused projects. Upon completion, trainees are supported into apprenticeships and employment through the council’s B&D Works jobs service.
Future Youth Zone, which operates as an independent charity, is open every day of the year to young people aged 8–19, and up to 25 for those with disabilities or learning difficulties. With its ethos of “somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to”, the youth club provides a safe and inspiring space for young people to try new activities, meet friends, and raise their aspirations.
Gershom Clarke, CEO of Future Youth Zone, said:
“We are hugely grateful to The Hill Group, Peabody, their contractors and the young people on the Skills Builder programme for their hard work at Future Youth Zone. It’s inspiring to see Skills Builder participants, including our own members, gaining valuable work experience in the process. Thank you to everyone who helped make this transformation possible.”
Paul Ansell, Project Director at The Hill Group, added:
“We are committed to investing in the communities where we are building. This partnership with the council and Future Youth Zone is a perfect example of how we can support local young people to develop new skills while making a real difference in their community.”
Cecile Bouchet, Economic Inclusion Lead for North-East London at Peabody, said:
“It has been fantastic to see young people gain such valuable hands-on experience while helping to improve a much-loved local facility. Skills Builder is a great initiative, and we’re proud to support it alongside Hill as part of our long-term investment in Dagenham Green and the wider community.”
Cole, a student on the Skills Builder initiative, said:
“It was a humbling experience that gave me a real appreciation for the skill, precision and hard work that goes into the trades, and how essential they are to the projects that I will hopefully survey in the future.”
The investment by Hill and Peabody comes as the partners move forward with the construction of Dagenham Green, a major new mixed-use neighbourhood for East London. Once complete, it will deliver around 3,500 homes – over 45% of which will be affordable – alongside 10 acres of green space, a secondary school, medical centre, shops, cafés and other community amenities.
For more information about Dagenham Green, visit www.dagenhamgreen.co.uk