The Cowshed: A skylight to look at the stars

Since its foundation in 2018, Projects4Change has built an organisation that is both needed and effective in supporting some of the most vulnerable young people in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

The community has a higher-than-average number of young people and a larger number of single parent families. Some of the young people have a lot of needs; with many are living in poverty. Right now, Projects4Change has limited space and cannot support all the young people in the local community.

See the Youth Investment Fund video at the bottom of the page to find out more about the project’s work and its plans for a new space.

Betty’s Hut and Garden

“The Hut is too small, with too many things going on at once. Sometimes we want a quiet area, more room to be with friends and find our own space.” Female, 16 

The site includes overgrown and inaccessible land that could be repurposed into a new and exciting youth space. Building a new space would almost treble the capacity of the indoor space per session and would enhance their offer to young people and give more capacity for running holiday activities.

“We want to do dance, drama and more art and room to do homework and a skylight to look at the stars.” Female, 12 

The main space will be multi-use providing drama, art, informal and alternative education, as well as basic skills. An indoor group workspace will cater to group work sessions, holiday programmes, and volunteer and apprentice training.  The whole site approach includes new lighting and walkways, with improved accessibility for everyone. The space will enable, partner organisation Unfolding Theatre, to provide weekly art and performance-based opportunities to enhance vital skills and give a voice to young people.

The new space will be in keeping with the creative outdoor/indoor theme of its current offer. Projects4Change is green at heart, encouraging young people to engage in environmental projects, like fire pit cooking, bushcraft growing, forest school and enjoying the natural environment. So, it is vital that the new Cowshed building is efficient, fit for purpose, sustainable and respectful of the environment.

Listening to young people

“Round-the-fire chats with Tim, Maral and Asher (XSITE Architects), we wrote down what everyone said; we wanted a natural space that fit with Betty’s hut.” Female, 16 

Projects4Change recognises that young people experience the world differently and that their needs are not always taken into consideration, that’s why they work hard to listen to young people. The Cowshed’s design, look and feel is informed by young people. Projects4Change engaged young people in many ways, including a ‘round-the-fire consultation’ and enabling young people to meet with the architects to both understand the planning process and get involved in the design and decor. Young people said that they wanted a safe space, a skylight to look at the stars and an opportunity to try new things and attend more often.

According to Kelly Coates, CEO for Projects4Change:

“Our Youth Investment Fund grant will radically change and enhance our offer to young people. The impact on our small charity will be transformational. The Cowshed is a great example of co-production, its style, look and feel reflect what young people have told us. It’s a place they can call their own. Vitally, the generous funding means we can support more young people, and give them new opportunities to grow, develop and have fun. As one of the young people said, The Cowshed will be a skylight to the stars.”

“I need good access when I need to use my Wheelchair without the fear of falling out.” Male, 15.

The Cowshed will enable Projects4Change to support more young people, diversify their offer and bring in more revenue by offering the space to businesses and voluntary sector services in the local area.

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