John Lyon's charity Annual Report 2024 - Report - Page 16
REFURBISHMENT FUND
INTRODUCTION
Impacts and lessons learned
In the youth sector, the Charity observed the emergence
of digital delivery as a lifeline for many young people in
the initial period of the pandemic, and when face-to-face
activities were again permitted, government guidance was
to operate in ‘bubbles’ in education and youth settings.
This new approach to life informed much of the Charity’s
approach to the funding of refurbishment work as part
of the wider HSC Strategy.
In the first three years of the Refurbishment Fund,
the Charity has gained a number of insights into the
complexities of funding capital projects and their impacts
on the youth sector.
What is the Fund?
The Refurbishment Fund was created as part of the
Recovery Fund, which allocated £500,000 specifically
to support the refurbishment of youth spaces. This
Fund provided both small (up to £10,000) and large
(up to £35,000) grants to repair, renovate and
upgrade youth facilities.
What is the aim and purpose of this Fund?
The Refurbishment Fund aims to address the chronic lack
of investment in youth sector infrastructure by providing
grants for repairs and improvements of youth facilities.
What is the reason behind this focus?
The Charity believes that high-quality provision should be
delivered in high-quality facilities, so the Fund seeks to
enhance the overall quality of delivery by ensuring that
youth environments are inspiring, exciting and functional.
Achievements so far
The Refurbishment Fund has awarded £416,800 across
23 organisations. The Fund attracted a diverse range of
grantees from across the portfolio, including youth clubs,
Arts organisations and organisations that enhance learning
opportunities.
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JOHN LYON’S CHARITY ANNUAL REPORT 2024
One of the most significant lessons learned was the
need for increased flexibility when working through
refurbishment requests with grantees. Organisations
must navigate several obstacles including already stretched
internal capacity, uncertainty in the renovations market
regarding labour and availability of materials, and any
planned hiatus or amendment in delivery to accommodate
works. This flexibility has been crucial in ensuring that
grantees feel well supported and are able to manage
multiple priorities better.
Another key insight was recognising the critical need for
updating essential yet often overlooked facilities. The
Charity showed a willingness to fund the refurbishment
of key facilities, such as toilets, which might not seem so
attractive to potential supporters but are essential for youth
services to continue. The Charity supported several projects
refurbishing youth toilet facilities which accounted for over
a third of total requests to the fund. Applicants were using
facilities that were installed up to 30 years ago and needed
refreshing due to constant use and high footfall. The impact
on modernising these facilities was instant; young people
now benefit from more comfortable environments.
The Charity also learned the importance of supporting
permanent, substantial improvements to children and
young people’s delivery spaces, rather than temporary fixes.
Previously, many organisations could only afford short-term
repairs due to budget restraints. By funding permanent
repairs or replacements, the Charity has helped ease this
financial burden on the organisations, allowing them to
redirect their resources towards other priorities.
