Associated British Ports (ABP) have become the latest Humber business to invest in the future of North East Lincolnshire’s young people by becoming Founder Patrons of Horizon Youth Zone.
As Founder Patrons, ABP will join a growing family of businesses, organisations and philanthropists contributing to the charity’s annual running costs. This enables Horizon to keep offering state-of-the-art facilities, new opportunities, and first-class youth work to thousands of young people in NE Lincs.
Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity with a private sector-led board and part of the OnSide Network of 18 Youth Zones nationwide, supporting more than 55,000 young people annually. Youth Zones are open to young people aged between eight and 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), seven days a week, for just £5 membership per year and 50p a visit.
Since Horizon’s grand opening last weekend, young members are now able to access an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, training kitchen, music room with a recording studio, fully equipped gym, sensory room, dance and drama studio, 3G kick pitch, arts and crafts room, and enterprise and employability suite. In addition to these incredible facilities, trained youth workers and dedicated volunteers are available seven days a week to offer guidance and holistic support to help the area’s young people to thrive. The Youth Zone is creating permanent full and part-time jobs, as well as numerous volunteering opportunities.
ABP is the UK’s leading and largest ports group, operating 21 ports across the country and providing essential gateways for trade and enabling green infrastructure essential for the UK’s energy transition. It operates four ports in the Humber, including Immingham, the largest UK port by volume of tonnage.
The Port of Grimsby is one of the UK’s leading automotive ports and a major hub for the offshore wind industry. It also continues to handle a range of other cargoes, while retaining strong links to the fishing and food industries. Together ABP’s Humber ports of Immingham, Grimsby, Hull, and Goole, provide an unparalleled gateway for trade connecting businesses across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
Horizon CEO, Lucy Ottewell Key said: “We are grateful for the generous support of Associated British Ports. Their belief in Horizon Youth Zone is a powerful message to the young people of North East Lincolnshire that their futures matter. Thanks to this support, more young people will have a safe place to grow, connect, discover their strengths, and build the confidence they need to thrive.”
Andrew Dawes, Regional Director for ABP in the Humber said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be a Founder Patron of Horizon Youth Zone.
It’s a privilege to support a project that will create opportunities, raise aspirations, and make a lasting difference for young people across North East Lincolnshire. We very much look forward to working alongside them in showcasing opportunities across our port and maritime sector in the Humber.”
Horizon Youth Zone is delivered in partnership with OnSide, North East Lincolnshire Council and supported by several businesses and philanthropists. The Founder Patron campaign aims to achieve long-term sustainability, to ensure Horizon Youth Zone will be an asset to the community, transforming young people’s lives for generations to come.
Horizon continues to focus on raising a growing family of Founder Patrons and urges local businesses and philanthropists to join the Founder Patron family. If you would like to support young people living in North East Lincolnshire, please contact: fiona.wright@horizonyouthzone.org