Young Cumbrians put mayoral candidates on the spot at the official opening of the £2.2million Benny Walker Centre in Workington (Friday 25 September). The centre is the first permanent home of 25-year-old Cumbria Youth Alliance (CYA), a leading youth charity that helps young people, and the organisations that support them, across the county.
More than 100 people attended ‘The Next Chapter’ launch event organised by CYA.
Putting questions on youth services, rural transport and the future of farming to David Allen (Labour), Libby Bateman (Liberal Democrats) and Mike Starkie (Conservative) were: Lettie Wareing (Cumbria Future Generation); Amy Wood (Cumbria Young Farmers); and Callum Hyslop (CYA Data and Infrastructure Co-ordinator and BECBC Shadow Board).
The new centre is made up of three CYA-owned buildings and one is now their new base. It includes a young people designed youth room, a skills room and kitchen, and seven bookable rooms, including one for up to 150 people. A second building is available to let, while the third and oldest building will be refurbished at a later date.
Income from bookings and lettings will contribute towards the running costs of the centre, helping CYA maintain and develop the buildings as a long-term community asset.
Sophie Birkett, CYA’s Chief Operating Officer who has led the project to secure funding, purchase and transform the site, said: "Young people told us safe spaces and trusted adults make the biggest difference to their lives [3]. The Benny Walker Centre is our answer to that.
"Benny started work at 15 with no degree and built a business that shaped West Cumbria. That's the kind of chance we want every young person who comes through this door to have, and it feels right to name it after him,” added Sophie.
David Allen (Labour), Libby Bateman (Liberal Democrat), Mike Starkie (Conservative), Amy Wood (Cumbria Young Farmers), Lettie Wareing (Cumbria Future Generations) and Callum Hyslop (Cumbria Youth Alliance and BECBC Shadow Board). Picture: Carlos Reina Photography
Commenting on what the new centre means, youth panellist Callum Hyslop, said: “I started work on a paper round at 14 and, like Benny, I didn't go to university. Having a place like this in West Cumbria, where young people can be heard by the people making decisions about their lives, is exactly the kind of chance he'd have wanted to give us."
The Benny Walker Centre also provides space for community organisations and youth service providers, creating opportunities for partnership, collaboration and extending the reach of their work.
The trustees of the Benny Walker Charitable Trust said, “The Centre is just what Benny would have wanted, and we wish it every success. We are very impressed with the facilities and are touched by the tribute to him in naming many of the rooms after his wife and places close to his heart.”
Sophie added:
“For more than 25 years, we’ve worked alongside young people across Cumbria. The Benny Walker Centre secures the future of that vital work, providing a stable base to strengthen our services, projects and partnerships for years to come.”
To find out more, visit the CYA website and watch this video: