Bristol’s groundbreaking creative hub for young people, The Station, has received a £46,000 donation from the Society of Merchant Venturers, the historic organisation that supports enterprise and culture in the city.
Led by the Creative Youth Network, The Station project is transforming the derelict Old Fire Station on Bridewell Island in the city centre into state-of-the-art facilities, including music studios, a media editing suite and an all-inclusive support network,.
It will be one of the biggest and most important of its kind in the UK when it opens in October.
The Merchants’ grant will fund an outreach worker for two years. This role will focus on forging links between The Station and youth clubs and schools, ensuring that young people from across Bristol can benefit from facilities.
The Station has also received funding from the National Lottery and Bristol City Council.
Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers David Marsh said: “The Station is an enormously important project for Bristol and it will be one of the biggest and most inspiring centres of its type in the UK.
“It will use creative achievement and personal involvement in the arts to increase opportunities and broaden the horizons of young people.
“Among the core objectives for the Merchant Venturers are to improve the well-being of young people in greater Bristol and to support educational and self-improvement opportunities. The Station presents an important opportunity to meet these aims.”
The Station will give all young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the personal skills and confidence to realise their potential.
It will provide counselling and career guidance alongside arts workshops, dance studios, a 250-seat theatre and a café. Young people will also have access to some of Bristol’s most inspiring people and organisations including the BBC, Aardman Animations and the Bristol Old Vic.
Creative Youth Network chief executive Sandy Hore-Ruthven said: “In the current difficult economic climate, the pressures on young people can be enormous and many need all the support we can give them. It is encouraging to see organisations like the Society of Merchant Venturers supporting The Station, helping it to become a firm fixture in Bristol’s youth culture.”
Established under Royal Charter in 1552, the Society of Merchant Venturers comprises prominent and talented men and women prepared to give their time and skills to contribute to the prosperity and well being of the greater Bristol area and to help enhance the quality of life for all.
It invests heavily in young people, education, enterprise and entrepreneurship and caring for the elderly.
