Knowsley Youth Mutual – Open for Business!
Knowsley’s youth services have officially launched as an employee and young people-led mutual, the first in the region.
Knowsley Youth Mutual (KYM) has ‘spun out’ from local authority control, to become an employee and young person owned Community Benefit Society.
KYM will continue to provide universal open access youth provision, award programmes, peer education and volunteering, outdoor education, engagement and participation, as well as specialist support and intervention schemes.
As a social enterprise, KYM will be able to access a variety of funding sources and trade its services on the open market, allowing it to generate income. In addition, it will be able to invest any profit it makes back into youth service provision.
The employee and young people owned mutual was established to protect Knowsley’s youth offer and youth service jobs, from cuts to local government funding.
Sandra Richardson, KYM Chief Executive, said: “I am overwhelmed by the number of young people celebrating the launch of KYM; this is such an exciting time for us all and I want to thank the best staff team ever, who have shown enthusiasm, bravery and committment to establish KYM.
“Thanks also to Cllr Eddie Connor, other elected members and officers of Knowsley Council, who have supported us throughout. We couldn’t have hoped for a better start.”
More than 400 people attended the KYM launch event, held at the OurPlace Youth Facility in Huyton, with 350 young people enjoying activities including a skate park exhibition, live music from local bands, graffiti wall artists, fire-eaters and stilt walkers!
Macie Campbell, aged 12, from Huyton, who attended the event, said: “The launch of KYM is really exciting. I’ve been coming to OurPlace since it opened and we do brilliant, fun things with the youth workers. It’s great that it’s going to continue and will be bigger and better.”
To learn more about Knowsley Youth Mutual (KYM) visit www.youthmutual.co.uk or Call 0151 443 5323.
PHOTO: Patricia Jackson, KYM Service Manager; Sandra Richardson, KYM CEO; Cllr Eddie Connor; Macie Campbell, 12, KYM member.
Lisa Bennett
Communications Manager
Knowsley Council
0151 443 2221
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