It was through the efforts of a group of young people, the Myplace Participation Group, that Hackney Council raised the funds for the new centre. The group asked young people in Hackney what they wanted out of the new centre. Young people in Stoke Newington told them they wanted:

• To get young people off street corners and into clubs where they can take part in positive activities
• To change the negative perceptions that people have of Hackney and young people within the borough
• Achieve a mindshift in young people: to convince them there’s more than one path in life.

The group made a presentation to the Myplace funding panel, and it was through their hard work that Hackney Council received nearly £500k to build the new centre.

The new centre was officially opened by Counciillor Krishna, Head of Children’s Services and two members of the original Myplace Group, Amy Nguyen and Leslie-Anne Orlans. The group, all aged 13 to 19, carried out the initial consultation with young people which led to the Council gettiing the £500k that was used to build the new centre.

Nearly 100 young people turned out at the launch event for the new Young Hackney Young People's Centre to try out the facilities, and take part in activities such as IT and multimedia workshops, healthy eating sessions, free microchipping for dogs, dance demonstrations and the Personal Best challenge.

You can find out more about the activities at the centre by visiting the young hackney stoke newington organisation page.