A youth centre in York is helping young people raise their aspirations and plan for a brighter future.
The Place, based in Westfield, is a community hub led by the University of York in partnership with Aviva, and offers support for children and teenagers in one of the city’s most deprived areas.
The centre has recorded more than 5,000 interactions with young people and has directly supported more than 1,100 children since opening in 2023.
Holly Hennell, community impact manager at Aviva, said: "Aviva is proud to be a skills and work partner for The Place - a fantastic example of what can happen when organisations come together around a shared ambition to improve opportunities for young people.
"We’ve seen first-hand the difference it is making for children, young people and families in Westfield, creating a safe and welcoming space where people can learn and access support."
Aviva has pledged five years of funding and hands-on support, with nearly 80 staff members volunteering their time to deliver employability sessions.
These programmes have benefitted around 300 Year 7 and 8 pupils from York High School and included visits to Aviva’s York offices.
The Place is running free events and activities throughout the summer.