Hackney youth centre awarded for impact on Dalston community

A Hackney youth centre has been recognised for the big difference it makes to the community in Dalston.

The Forest Road Young Hackney centre opened in 2012, as part of Hackney Council’s £5m investment in the borough’s youth centres, which saw five hubs across the borough built or refurbished.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property and construction, has now given the centre its Community Benefit and Project of the Year Award for the London region.

The centre will now go through to the national final.

Hackney Youth Parliament is based at the hub, along with a huge range of services like Mencap’s Changemakers programme for disabled teenagers, and holiday activities and drop in sports sessions.

Matthew Lloyd Architects consulted extensively with young people on the look of the centre, including cladding, colour schemes, fittings and graphics and the choice of activities and special projects the centre offers before they embarked on its design.