Bodies in Motion, a youth-focused initiative based in Pendle, aims to address several pressing community issues: enhancing community cohesion, tackling youth-related challenges, and improving overall health and well-being among local residents. Central to this mission is the organization’s efforts to create new facilities, including a gym, café, games area, and various meeting spaces, all designed to be inclusive gathering points for youth and community members alike. However, this ambitious project is now at risk due to a significant funding shortfall of £100,000, as rising costs have strained the budget for a new garden and youth center set to be developed in Nelson.
In a formal request, Bodies in Motion has sought assistance from Pendle Council to help alleviate this financial gap. Despite the organization’s initiative and the positive community impact it could create, the council has indicated that it currently finds itself “not in a position to offer any financial support.” This response reflects the ongoing challenges faced by many local authorities as they navigate tight budgets and competing priorities in their communities.
The charity’s main operations are based at Orchid House in the center of Brierfield, but its vision extends to a separate site under development at Fleet Street in Nelson. This new facility, which is designed to be a vibrant hub for youth engagement and community activities, is intended to be a focal point for local residents. According to recent reports prepared for Pendle councillors, the reception building and café at the Nelson site are nearing completion. However, a planned two-storey youth hub now faces the aforementioned £100,000 funding gap, a significant amount that threatens the project’s viability.
The challenges arise from rising costs, particularly since Bodies in Motion submitted its funding bid to the previous government in 2022. Following a prolonged two-year application process, the charity was awarded approximately £1.4 million from the national Youth Investment Fund earlier this year. Of that investment, just under £1.2 million is allocated for various developments, including a new games zone and changing facilities at the Brierfield site, as well as progress on the Nelson site, referred to as The Garden Zone. While this funding represents a significant step forward, the financial shortfall for the new youth hub remains a stark reminder of the complexities involved in large-scale community projects.
In an upcoming meeting of Pendle’s Nelson, Brierfield, and Reedley Committee, councillors will take a closer look at the situation surrounding Bodies in Motion and its funding predicament. Officers involved in the review have recommended that the charity provide additional information regarding its financial strategies and project plans. They have underscored the importance of transparency, as well as the need to account for the council’s own financial limitations. Furthermore, the recommendation serves as a caution against setting unrealistic expectations among community groups regarding financial support from the council, particularly when those expectations may exceed the actual resources available.
Founded in the early 2000s by Shahid Shabbir from Nelson and Ben Kelly, who has roots in Merseyside but eventually moved to Lancashire, Bodies in Motion was born out of a collective desire to address local challenges. It emerged during a time of heightened community concern, particularly surrounding issues such as youth crime and social unrest. In its formative years, the charity worked to address curfews imposed on Brierfield, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing the lives of young people through constructive engagement.
According to a council report detailing the charity’s origins, Bodies in Motion was established in 2005 by local individuals who were deeply concerned about the well-being of the community. The charity has consistently sought to promote equality of opportunity for young people, striving to counter the rising issues associated with youth crime, violence, and social disenfranchisement. Over the years, it has worked collaboratively with local residents and community organizations to bolster the overall health and cohesion of the area, generating spaces for dialogue, engagement, and recreational activities.
As the new site in Nelson is developed, the need for a two-storey building has become a critical point. In its reports to the council, Bodies in Motion has asserted that the two-storey configuration is essential to meet engagement targets laid out in the original funding application. The charity has assured Pendle Council that the costs for this dual-level structure had been factored into its initial funding request. However, the dramatic increase in construction costs over the two-year application period has resulted in an unexpected shortfall of £98,400.
Despite the funding challenges, Bodies in Motion has actively pursued strategies to manage costs, referring to their efforts to “value engineer” the project, which involves adjusting the design and scope to maximize affordability while still aiming to deliver quality facilities that meet community needs. In September, the charity approached council officers with a request for potential funding assistance of up to £100,000. A financial injection from Pendle Council could not only address the immediate shortfall but might also increase the likelihood of securing additional support from the Youth Investment Fund, contingent on the council’s approval of a funding package.
However, the council report emphasizes the need for cautious deliberation in this instance. It urges councillors to consider the broader implications of granting ad-hoc funding to community or voluntary groups such as Bodies in Motion, especially when those requests fall outside established allocation processes. Awarding funding in this manner could establish a precedent that raises expectations within other communities about the potential for significant grants for local projects. While the council acknowledges the merit of initiatives like those proposed by Bodies in Motion, the reality remains that it is unable to provide financial backing at this moment.
Pendle Council has indicated that Bodies in Motion is actively seeking funding from additional sources to fill the gap. However, the process of securing alternative financial support can often be lengthy, potentially affecting the project timeline and ultimately delaying the delivery of vital services to the community. As the council prepares for its upcoming committee meeting on November 4 at Nelson Town Hall, it is clear that the future of the Nelson site remains uncertain, contingent upon the charity’s ability to navigate these funding challenges.
This situation encapsulates broader issues faced by community organizations and local governments alike as they grapple with limited resources and rising costs. The importance of youth engagement initiatives cannot be overstated, particularly in areas that struggle with social issues and a lack of resources for young people. Facilities like those proposed by Bodies in Motion can be transformational, creating opportunities for young people to come together, learn, and develop valuable life skills in a supportive environment.
The support of local councils for such initiatives plays a critical role in ensuring their success, but the challenges faced by both local authorities and community organizations in terms of funding and resources are increasingly evident. Bodies in Motion’s ongoing efforts reflect the resilience and determination of local leaders and residents who are dedicated to fostering positive change in their community, even in the face of significant hurdles.
Moving forward, the dialogue between Bodies in Motion and Pendle Council is crucial not only for resolving the current funding shortfall but also for establishing a sustainable framework for supporting community initiatives in the future. Both entities share a commitment to the well-being of local residents, and through collaboration and strategic planning, they can work towards building a healthier, more connected community for individuals of all ages. The potential of the Nelson youth hub remains bright, but its realization hinges on the successful navigation of financial challenges and the collective will to support the youth of Pendle.