The young users of a new youth centre under construction in the heart of Swindon are at the heart of the decision-making process as it is built.

Workers from Swindon construction firm Leighfield have begun the process of transforming the old council-owned buildings at the Lyndhurst Centre in Park North into a £3.8m youth centre, with work being commissioned by the local authority.

And with work getting underway, the council’s project leader Rosie Rogers is keen to emphasise that the children and young people are at the centre of the process.

Thanks to the input of local youth, the new centre will feature a recording studio, a hairdressing and beauty salon, outdoor gym and a cycle repair workshop, and a kitchen all intended to give young people something to do and the ability to gain life and professional skills.

There will also be spaces for counselling and group therapy work and an alternative education provision.

Rosie said: “We are working with three groups, SMASH, Way and Step who will be the main providers of services.

“And it is a child-led model, where young people are consultants every step of the way.

“They say what they want to have here, and how it will work.”

(Image: Dave Cox) Ms Rogers added that the plan is for some youngsters to get the building industry CSCS accreditation and even work as labourers on the site.

As well as being simply a place for children to visit, and spend time with their friends, there’s an emphasis on gaining skills to set them up for life.

Ami Ford from SMASH said: “This is a really exciting opportunity, especially as we are involved right at the start. But the main thing is that it’s a safe space for all children and young people in Swindon.”

Joel Howarth and Sandra Ebenezar are members of the Swindon youth group Way, and they are both involved in advising the council staff and the builders on what young people want and need from the new facility.

Joel, the chair of trustees of Way said: “It isn’t just a token effort. We can see when we say something that it does make a difference.

Sandra added: “I’m involved in a project called Way Changemakers and we are involved in the design of this new centre and we can see that when we say something things do get changed, that  we are being listened to and taken seriously

“I’d say we’re getting a wider variety of young voices being heard.”