The £11m Youth Zone project is still going ahead despite the charity boss leaving

The man who was to lead the project to create Bristol’s first multi-million pound youth zone has surprised the youth work community by announcing his sudden departure from the charity leading the project.

Alistair Dale said it was “now time to move on” as he announced he would be leaving his role as chief executive of Youth Moves, the Knowle West-based youth charity he founded 13 years ago.

His departure, along with a change of administration at City Hall, has raised questions about the future of the £11m project to build a new youth center in South Bristol, dubbed by the young people themselves as Area ‘224’, but The national youth work company behind the project said the departure would not derail plans and that work was due to start soon.

Read more: South Bristol Youth Zone – ‘world class’ or ‘black hole’?

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In a statement, Mr Dale said: “It has been an absolute pleasure of my career to date to lead Youth Moves for the past 13 years, taking the organization on a fantastic journey and working with some of the most amazing people in this trial. .

“Having grown the charity significantly, won national and regional awards and most importantly inspired the lives of so many young people in South Bristol, it is now time for me to move on. The development of Youth Zone 224 is an amazing legacy to leave the charity as it embarks on its next steps.

“I thank the brilliant, passionate and knowledgeable staff, trustees and partners who have been involved along the way and I leave the charity in a great place and very positive about our future,” he added.

Mr Dale set up Youth Moves to run youth services in Knowle and other parts of South Bristol back in 2011 and has become one of the most respected figures in youth work in the city. In 2021, Youth Moves signed up as a local partner in a deal with Bristol City Council and national youth center provider OnSide in Bolton to create a multi-million pound ‘youth zone’ in a chosen location carefully next to Imperial Retail. Park, between Hartcliffe and Knowle West.

The Youth Zone was the flagship youth project for the previous Labor Council administration under former councilor Asher Craig, and despite objections from local people and protests when it became clear that money for the Youth Zone would mean less for existing youth work organizations in another part of the city. , the building received planning permission a year ago, with a tentative opening date of 2025.

Most recently, those behind the scheme submitted amendments to the original planning application in 2022 to remove planning conditions set by officers, with just two details remaining to be approved before work can properly begin.

But in May the Green Party won almost a majority of council seats and took effective control of the council. Some of their councilors had previously raised concerns about the Youth Zone project when they were in opposition in recent years and that, coupled with Mr Dale’s sudden departure just as the Youth Zone project was about to really start, led to questions about the entire project.

Bristol Live asked Bristol City Council eight days ago for an update on the project and whether it will go ahead, and has not received a response from the council. But a spokesman for OnSide, which is investing millions alongside the council’s millions to build the Youth Zone, said it was all about to happen and Mr Dale’s departure had not affected the long-term project.

“Preliminary works and construction of a new access road are underway, with construction of the building expected to begin soon,” he said.

“Ali Dale has recently left Youth Moves after 13 years of brilliant service as CEO. OnSide and Youth Moves are working together to develop the new youth area and plans for its day-to-day operation once open will remain the same – it will remain the new home of Youth Moves The charity, which has a board and team of Bristol, will manage operations seven days a week.

“Once open, 224 will provide an incredible space for young people in South Bristol, with new sports, arts and leisure facilities, as well as crucial support from our youth work team,” he added.

When Youth Moves signed up as a local partner for the council’s Youth Zone project, a new chair of the charity was appointed – Heather Frankham, who made her fortune by setting up the UK’s biggest apprenticeships firm and was a member of the organization. 2021 Venturi Merchants Society.

Youth Moves and South Bristol Youth Zone timeline

Ms Frankham said the Youth Zone would be part of Alistair Dale’s legacy. Paying tribute to the outgoing chief executive, she said: “Having led the charity from its inception to where it is now, winning many awards along the way and instigating the partnership with OnSide to bring a youth zone to the city, Ali leaves town. charity in a great place.

“Ali should be proud of the legacy he has left, but feels the time is right to move on as the charity moves into a new phase,” she added.

“Everyone at Youth Moves wishes Ali every success and fulfillment in the next chapter of his career. Thank you, Ali, for your leadership over the years and for being a true advocate for our mission. Your legacy will last and your contributions will resonate within Youth Moves for years to come,” she said.