Chadwell Heath youth centre reopens after 15 years

The Rising Generation (TRG) centre, which had stood empty for more than 15 years, has been transformed into a modern facility in Chadwell Heath.

It includes a digital media room, a full catering and training kitchen, and a versatile main community hall.

Kai Walker, consultant at Pulse Consult which was involved in the scheme, said: "This project has delivered a vital, modern social asset for Barking and Dagenham, and we are incredibly proud to have guided its journey to a high-quality community space.

"By embedding our project management and quantity surveying expertise early on, we were able to successfully navigate the technical integration of renewable technologies and multi-use spaces.

"It reflects our wider commitment to delivering high-impact, public sector infrastructure that directly improves lives."

Inside the community hall (Image: Pulse Consult)

The centre, measuring 350 square metres, also includes outdoor space.

Funding for the project came from £2 million public capital from the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund (YIF) and the Better Youth Spaces Fund.

Sustainability was at the heart of the build, with high-efficiency air-source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, and a 100% LED lighting infrastructure contributing to its net-zero ready status.

The building is on track to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.

Cllr Dominic Twomey, leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: "The new youth centre is absolutely incredible, it’s colourful, modern, and has fantastic facilities for our young people.

"It’s been so rewarding to see our young people already making great use of it and enjoying everything it has to offer.

"Thanks to all our partners who have been involved in making this happen, it’s another example of the investment we are making for our youth to help them get the best start in life. It starts here."