Swindon’s new youth centre celebrates first anniversary

The Base, located in Lyndhurst Crescent in Park North, opened in March 2025 following a £3.8m refurbishment led by Swindon Borough Council and its Children and Families Services, working in partnership with local organisations and children.

Since opening, the centre has welcomed an average of more than 300 children each month, with demand continuing to grow. Youth clubs are proving particularly popular, with around 50 children regularly attending the Thursday night youth club each week.

To mark the one-year anniversary of the Council-commissioned opening of the Base, Swindon Borough Council’s Leader of the Council, Councillor Jim Robbins, and Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Councillor Paul Dixon, visited a youth club at the Base to meet children benefiting from the support being provided.

During the visit, they met children supported by organisations including WAY, STEP and Young Swindon and Wiltshire. The organisations work alongside Swindon Borough Council’s Children and Families Services to deliver activities, mentoring and support at the centre, bringing together specialist youth services in one place for children across the borough.

Children aged 11 to 18 years, or up to 25 years for those with additional needs, use a wide range of facilities at the centre, including youth spaces, music studios, a gym, bike maintenance racks and group rooms used for mentoring and support sessions.

Practical learning spaces are also playing an important role in how children use the building. The hair and beauty salon at The Base is supporting more children each term, where children working in partnership with mainstream education providers are learning hair and beauty skills in a vocational environment.

The centre’s kitchen is also a busy part of the building during the school day. Children use the space as part of mentoring sessions, learning practical and independent living skills through cooking and baking. One child now spends time in the kitchen developing a small cake brand, with the cakes sold on the Solid Ground coffee van in Clarence House car park.

A child, who regularly goes to the youth centre, said: “I’m experiencing something I haven’t had before at The Base.

“I barricade myself in my room at home, but coming here is the only time I go somewhere without my social anxiety and feelings of judgement.”

Councillor Paul Dixon, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “The Base was created with children at its heart and it’s fantastic to see the difference it is already making.

“Welcoming more than 300 children each month shows how important it is to provide safe, supportive spaces where children can build friendships, develop new skills and access the support they need.

“Through activities, mentoring and practical opportunities, The Base is helping children grow in confidence and feel part of their community.”

Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see The Base thriving one year after opening and making such a positive difference for children across Swindon. It is so great to be part of a Council administration that opens new facilities, not shuts them down and makes cuts.

“This centre was developed in partnership with organisations that understand the needs of children in our communities, and it’s clear from the number of children using the space that it is already becoming an important hub of support and opportunity.

“Facilities like the salon and kitchen show how spaces like this can help children learn practical skills, build confidence and discover new interests in a safe and supportive environment.”

Paul Dobson, Director of STEP Swindon, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work from a building designed by young people, for young people; a space that truly reflects their voices, needs, and aspirations. The Base is becoming a vital community resource, offering something for every child and young person in Swindon.

“In its first year alone, STEP has supported 432 children and young people, and this is just one part of a much wider offer. From universal social activities and early intervention, to support with re-engagement in education, high-quality mental health provision, mentoring, and opportunities to build life skills for adulthood, The Base provides an inclusive and accessible environment where young people can thrive.

“What makes this so powerful is the strength of the partnership behind it. By bringing together a wide range of skills, experience, and shared commitment, we are making a real and lasting difference to the lives of Swindon’s children and young people.”

Andy Malcolm, CEO of Young Swindon and Wiltshire, said: “It’s been an absolute delight to work alongside partners Swindon Borough Council, STEP and WAY to bring this idea to life!

“We’re convinced that partnerships like this can create far richer opportunity for children than we ever can on our own and to see that lived out day to day and the difference it is already making to children is incredible.”

Sam Lloyd, CEO of WAY UK, said: "It is incredible to witness the impact of true co-design. When children and young people move beyond being 'consulted' to actively shaping their own spaces and activities, the results are transformative. This momentum continues as young leaders from The Base led on the SBC Skills report and Greener Swindon Report, directly influencing local strategy.

The Base is also providing a platform for those who often lack opportunity to explore new industries. My personal highlight is seeing a talented young musician go from recording in our studio to releasing his first music video, this achievement and the support he’s received has fundamentally changed the trajectory of his future.”