“A base for young people” – a new hub for young people who have grown up in care opens in the area

Young people who have grown up in care now have a new place to call their own. ‘The Base’ is a building in North East Lincolnshire that has been given to young people to have as a safe space.

Situated in the heart of Grimsby, The Base has been taken over by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Children’s Services to be a place of belonging for young adults with experience of growing up in the care system.

Last Thursday, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Robson Augusta, and Councillor Samuel Grice, deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and portfolio holder for children and education, attended the formal opening of the building following a refurbishment.

Two care-experienced young people cut the bright blue ribbon following some speeches from dignitaries.

Luke Rodgers BEM, Founder and CEO of The Care Leaders, also attended the opening.

Speaking at the venue, Cllr Grice said that he hoped the building would be a place that care-experienced young people could call their own.

“I’m really pleased to see this building getting a new lease of life as a hub for young people.

“I know that those young people who will come here and use this place haven’t had the easiest start in life, but I hope this building will become a safe space for them, where they can come and spend time socialising and, where needed, seeking support.”

Ann-Marie Matson, Director of Children’s Services at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“We’ve been working on these plans for some time so to finally see the Base open and being used by our young people is fantastic.

“Our team still work alongside many of these young people, so it makes sense for them to have a place that they can come to hang out and chat, and to be supported.

“The icing on the cake today was that the young people themselves cut the ribbon and opened the space. This is theirs to have and care for – they’ve been fully part of the planning including having input into the refurbishment and the décor. They own this space.”

The location of The Base is not published as it is not open to the public, and is specifically for the use of young people who are care-experienced.