About us
The Lighthouse Project arose from our passion for working with young people on the Byker Estate and the frustration with the lack of purpose-built facilities in the area to support this work. Our mission was to create an inspiring youth and community space in the heart of Byker that will support quality youth and community engagement and have a lasting impact on the community of Byker for many years to come.
We have achieved this through the renovation and repurposing of the old St Michael’s Church building on Byker Hill into a flexible, multi-purpose, youth and community space with youth sports and activity facilities set in the grounds. The new designated youth space housed within the annex will enable young people to create and own a purpose-built space for themselves and future generations.
The project will allow us to provide services alongside our partners and facilities that can be enjoyed by young people and the community of Byker. We aim to provide services to around 1500 young people and families each year. We will provide spaces, facilities, and opportunities for and with young people, and in so doing equip the valuable work of our partner organisations, working with young people across Byker.
There were no purpose-built facilities for young people in the area, and a growing demand from youth work providers for places to accommodate their engagement and services that would greatly enhance the impact and availability of their work. The design of the building and site, in keeping with our vision will offer both spaces that are adaptable to the general needs of the community and youth work providers but also spaces that are shaped by young people themselves.
The Lighthouse Project will encompass three main principles; Hospitality, Aspiration, and Partnership that will enable the project to fulfil its aims:
- To provide safe and welcoming spaces where young people and the community can flourish and live life to its fullest.
- To partner and work with organisations that support young people and the community.
- To be a place at the heart of the community where young people’s voice can be heard and provide a forum for such conversations
- To help reduce poverty and deprivation in the area
