MPs tour 224 Youth Zone as landmark South Bristol project showcases jobs, opportunity and community impact
Senior political leaders joined young people and project partners this week for a behind-the-scenes site tour of 224 Youth Zone, our transformational new youth facility being developed in South Bristol.
Karin Smyth,(Minister of State for Secondary Care and Bristol South), The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE (Minister of State of Department for Work and Pensions), Kerry McCarthy (Member of Parliament, Bristol East) and Mayor of The West of England, Helen Godwin were welcomed on site to see first-hand the progress of our £12m+ building and hear about the growing social and economic impact the project is already delivering.
Led by 224 Youth Zone, in partnership with OnSide and Bristol City Council, 224 is set to open in the spring/summer 2026 and will provide a safe, inclusive space for thousands of young people aged 8–19 (and up to 25 for young people with additional needs). Our state-of-the-art facility will provide up to 40 hours a week of high-quality youth provision, offering sports, creative arts, wellbeing, youth work support and employability opportunities – all shaped by young people from South Bristol.
Thanks to Galliford Try, the construction phase has already created meaningful opportunities for local people, including apprenticeships, paid employment, and work experience placements for young people aged 17–21. The project has supported individuals who were previously not in education or employment, engaged with SEND schools, and delivered mentoring and employability support for young people facing barriers to work. These outcomes demonstrate a clear and tangible contribution to skills development, local employment and inclusive economic growth in South Bristol.
“It was fantastic to see the progress made in constructing the 224 Youth Zone site my last visit in 2025.
“This is a really significant investment for young people in Bristol South which will give them access to state-of-the-art facilities, from a brand-new climbing wall to a podcast recording studio, as well as allowing them to benefit from partnerships forged with organisations locally and across our city.
“I visited on the day of my tenth annual South Bristol Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair, and the Youth Zone is to be commended for its commitment to providing employment opportunities in the local area, including placements for young people participating in the South Bristol Youth Guarantee Trailblazer”
Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Secondary Care and Bristol South
We are already working with local and national organisations to provide clear pathways into employment and education. Beyond construction, the long-term impact of 224 Youth Zone extends into the youth work and employability support that will be delivered once 224 opens. The Youth Zone will provide high-quality, year-round youth provision that equips young people with essential life skills, confidence and practical experience to help them become work-ready. Through access to structured youth work, volunteering opportunities, leadership development and exposure to real workplace environments, young people will be supported to build pathways into employment, training and further education.
The visit also highlighted the wider employment impact that the Youth Zone beyond construction. We are currently recruiting for a wide range of new roles, creating significant local job opportunities across youth work, play, sports, catering, facilities, volunteering and leadership as we prepare to open our doors. Our recruitment drive is focused on building a diverse, skilled workforce rooted in South Bristol, with roles suitable for both experienced professionals and those looking to start or progress a career working with young people.
Speaking during the visit, MPs praised the scale of ambition behind 224 Youth and its potential to transform the opportunities for young people while strengthening the local economy through jobs, training and long-term investment in community infrastructure.
224 builds on more than 20 years of trusted youth work delivered by Youth Moves in South Bristol. While the building and scale are new, our values remain the same: open access, inclusive provision, strong safeguarding, and deep partnership working with local schools, charities and services.
As the project moves closer to opening, this site tour marked an important milestone in celebrating not only the physical build, but the people, partnerships and opportunities that 224 Youth Zone is creating across South Bristol.
“It was fantastic to welcome MPs and The WECA Mayor to the site and to show them just how much progress has been made, not only in the building itself but in the opportunities this project is already creating for South Bristol. 224 Youth Zone is about far more than bricks and mortar – it’s about investing in young people, creating jobs, and building a skilled, committed workforce rooted in the local community.
As we move closer to opening, we’re recruiting for a wide range of roles and are keen to hear from people who are passionate about supporting young people and want to be part of something special from the very beginning. Whether you’re an experienced professional or looking to start your career in youth work, 224 Youth Zone offers a chance to make a real difference every day.”
Matt Justice, CEO 224 Youth Zone
Visit https://www.youthmoves224.org/our-people/vacancies/ to find out more about our current vacancies and to apply.