Thursday 22nd June was a very momentous day in the history books for Include Youth, VOYPIC and Viable, as we celebrated the Grand Opening of 100GPS.
Young people from Include Youth and VOYPIC co-created the event, welcoming guests, delivering fantastic speeches, and proudly providing tours of their brand new home. As well as this event, young people also helped co-design the building, giving their input into colour tones, design elements, layouts and feelings of their space.
There was a tangible feeling of excitement as the young people and guests enjoyed the photo booth, circus acts, face painting, art and crafts, DJ workshops and pizzas, and we even had the sun shining, allowing us all to enjoy a delicious ice cream cone!
The day was founded on 4 key themes; History, Togetherness, Home and Future.
History: Recognising the history of Include Youth and VOYPIC, who have been operating for a combined total of 70 years.
Togetherness: the sense of coming together of two separate and distinct organisations, to work together under the same roof, for the benefit of the children and young people they serve.
Home: 100GPS is providing a place that we, as a community, can look to as our shared home. It is a place where everyone is welcome. It’s providing a home for our community.
Future: We look forward to welcoming future generations of young people to Include Youth and VOYPIC.
This day was over 8 years in the making, and what was once a derelict warehouse is now home to a dedicated youth space in the heart of Belfast. This modern youth space would not have been possible without those who walked alongside us, and we are extremely grateful for all the contributions from Government departments, funders, architects, and those who have supported us on this journey. Thank you.
We are hoping that together we can build a brighter future for young people, and this state-of-the-art space helps us achieve this.
