Sustainable Communities

Barleycroft Access Centre

The centre will provide ICT training, employment support, health advice and support, services for young people and a preschool nursery right in the heart of one of the region's most disadvantaged communties.

Organisation: Leicester North West SRB5 Programme

Completion Date: 29/08/2004

Location

Malham Close, Beaumont Leys, adjacent to Barleycroft School

Project Description

The combination of LSEP, New Opportunties Fund and SRB5 support has allowed us to build a flexible, accessible centre offering many new services and adding value to the youth work which currently takes place on this site - Paul Quinn, SRB5 Programme Manager, Leicester City Council

Background
The centre is being developed by Leicester North West SRB5 (Government-funded Single Regeneration Budget), Leicester City Council, Leicester North West 'Healthy Living Network' and Barleycroft Primary School.

It is being built on the site of the Barleycroft Youth Centre and next door to Barleycroft Primary School. Both buildings are located right in the middle of the Barleycroft area, Beaumont Leys.

Improvements in facilities
We have extended the Youth Centre considerably, adding a new wing which will house a broadband-connected ICT suite, a multi-purpose room (for groups of about 20), two counselling/interview rooms, and new reception facilities.

At the same time we have already significantly upgraded the existing building, introducing improved access, a new kitchen, lots of new storage, as well as upgrading the main hall, installing new toilets to allow the site to operate within OFSTED requirements and improving office accommodation.

The exterior of the site will also be improved, with the relocation of play equipment and the upgrading of footpaths and access to the existing shopping centre (which overlooks the site).

Community services
Barleycroft Access Centre will be able to offer a number of different services. In particular, the ICT suite will run a full programme of courses - and the ICT services have been designed to link in with the three UK Online centres already established by the SRB5 and its partners in the area.

The interview rooms lend themselves to one-to-one support for people seeking employment or careers advice. The multipurpose room allows for small group training in basic skills, ESOL (English as a Second Language), etc.

The building will also function as part of the LNW 'Healthy Living Network' and as one of three 'Healthy Living Centres' in the area (funded by the New Opportunities Fund and SRB5). Again, the flexibility of the design allows for one-to-one work with, say, new mothers or for activities that require more space (e.g. exercise classes) which can take place in the main hall.

Young people
The building already works well as a young people's centre and they, too, will be able to take advantage of the new ICT and health facilities.

But of particular significance for the local community is the fact that the centre will be able to offer pre-school nursery provision for Barleycroft Primary School. This should help the school to achieve better SATS figures.

Outcomes

• Helping 'turn-around' the Beaumont Leys estate, reducing voids, tenancy turnover, improving the quality of the local environment, reducing anti-social behaviour and improving community safety.
• Helping local people into work through advice and support.
• Providing new training opportunities for local people to support their return to work, improve their skills, or educational attainment.
• Provide nursery accommodation for people who wish to take advantage of training opportunities on site
• Improve the range and quality of services for young people locally.
• Improve the health of local people and access to health services.
• Better SATs results for Barleycroft Primary School.
• A safer, more accessible neighbourhood and retail centre.

Project Contacts

Project manager:
Brian Wheeler
Tel: 0116 252 8648
E-mail: brian.wheeler@leicester.gov.uk
Website: www.leicesternorthwest.org.uk

LSEP contact:
Gill Smitherman
Tel: 0116 257 5676
Email: gills@lsep.co.uk
Website: www.lsep.co.uk