Barking and Dagenham has officially launched The Rising Generation (TRG), a state‑of‑the‑art youth centre created in close partnership with local young people and Government-funded thanks to the Youth Investment Fund and Better Youth Spaces Fund.

The launch event also marked the 25-year anniversary of the Barking and Dagenham Youth Forum, one of the borough’s longest-running youth leadership programmes. Global entertainer KSI joined the celebrations to announce the borough’s new Young Mayor.

Formerly Padnall Hall, the transformed TRG building now offers a modern, inclusive and youth‑led space for creativity, wellbeing, personal development and community connection.

The centre reflects contributions from more than two hundred young people, who shaped its name, design ideas, storytelling identity and the vision for how the space should feel and function.

During the event, KSI announced that Iannis Bonciu, a student at Eastbrook School, had been chosen by Youth Forum members as Young Mayor for the 2026–27 term. Iannis will represent young people at civic events and support fundraising for this year’s chosen charity, Young Carers, which provides essential support to children and young people aged 8 to 18 who look after a family member with long-term illness, disability or mental health needs.

The celebration also honoured 25 years of the Barking and Dagenham Youth Forum, which has engaged more than 1,250 young people since 1999. The Forum has influenced community safety, produced educational campaigns, delivered peer‑led sessions across schools and helped shape youth services across the borough.

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to have KSI with us to launch The Rising Generation Youth Centre and to announce our new Young Mayor. The children loved it and were so excited, inspired, and genuinely uplifted.

“This is just another example of the investment we are making for our youth. Over two million pounds of government grant funding has transformed this building into a fantastic space. It Starts Here.”

Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “Every time I visit our schools and youth spaces, I feel so proud of our incredible young people. They are the rising generation and we’re doing everything we can to help them get the best start in life. A huge thank you to all our partners and I look forward to seeing our young people enjoy this fantastic new youth centre.”

The Youth Investment Fund is funded by the UK Government, with thanks to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the fund’s delivery partners: Social Investment Business with Key Fund, National Youth Agency, and Resonance.

The Youth Investment Fund is part of the Government’s National Youth Guarantee to transform and level up opportunities for young people in England. The Fund, of over £300 million, aims to build, renovate or extend youth services in the parts of the country where new spaces and new opportunities are most needed.

 You can check out our Youth Offer here.

Read more about the Young Mayor here.