As a Founder Patron, Phillips 66 Limited will contribute towards the charity’s annual running costs, which will enable the new Youth Zone to offer first class facilities, opportunities and support for thousands of young people living in and around Grimsby.
Once opened, Horizon Youth Zone will be an independent charity with a private sector-led board. It will be part of the OnSide Network of 15 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.
Young people who sign up will have access to 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 will be available seven days a week to offer guidance and holistic support to help the area’s young people to thrive. The Youth Zone will create permanent full and part-time jobs, as well as numerous volunteering opportunities.
STEM commitment
Phillips 66’s support for Horizon Youth Zone comes from a commitment to improve STEM education and offer great opportunities to young people in North East Lincolnshire. Following a visit to the Youth Zone site, the Phillips 66 team felt inspired by the facility and understood just how much of an impact the Youth Zone will have. Not only will its funding support the Youth Zone’s running costs, but discussions have also begun around how Phillips 66 might offer its insight to deliver educational STEM support to the Youth Zone’s members once it opens, having already successfully engaged young people in the area with other programmes.
When asked about the new partnership with Horizon, Paul Fursey, Phillips 66 Limited Lead Executive UK & General Manager Humber Refinery said: “This is an investment in the future. By supporting the Horizon Youth Zone, we are not only contributing to the development of young minds and supporting collaboration, but also creating opportunities for growth, learning, and a positive change. We look forward to being a key skills partner as empowering young people with STEM skills today means a brighter, innovative, and more sustainable future for”.
Horizon Youth Zone Chair Jason Stockwood commented: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Phillips 66 not only for its support as a Founder Patron, but also for its pledge to help upskill Grimsby’s young people through its STEM education work. This dual support shows its dedication to providing not only the sustainability of Horizon Youth Zone, but also to empowering the area’s young people to unlock their full potential.”
Horizon CEO, Lucy Ottewell Key added: “We are so appreciative of Phillips 66 for their support of Horizon Youth Zone. Its funding will be instrumental in providing young people across North East Lincolnshire with opportunities to thrive, connect, explore their talents and develop essential life skills.”
Young People’s Development Group
Like all Youth Zones in the Network, Horizon has a Young People’s Development Group (YPDG), which is a group of local young people who meet weekly with youth workers, developing their skills through tailored experiences, and who help make key decisions that will shape what the Youth Zone will become.
Horizon Youth Zone is being 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 Youth Zone is due to open in late Autumn of 2025.
Image credit: Phillips 66