Newcastle United Foundation and YHN make a winning team

Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) has been confirmed as a local community partner for Newcastle United Foundation’s exciting new state-of-the-art hub for sports, education and wellbeing.



The new purpose-built community centre will be developed on the Murray House site on Diana Street in the west of Newcastle. The multi-million pound development aims to transform lives, provide pathways into further and higher education and improve the physical and mental wellbeing of local young people and their families.



The new facility will include a sports hall and football pitch, classrooms and learning suites to deliver learning and training plus meeting space for the wider community.



Work is expected to begin on site in Autumn 2020 with the aim of opening its doors in September 2021.



YHN, which manages 26,000 homes across the city on behalf of Newcastle City Council, supports a number of local initiatives through community grant schemes that aim to build stronger communities in the areas the housing provider has homes.



The investment in the Foundation’s new community hub is possible due to money donated by partners as part of corporate social responsibility donations secured through procurement tenders.



David Langhorne, YHN’s Acting Managing Director, said: “YHN is delighted to support a truly fantastic initiative that will directly benefit a huge number of our customers and residents. We are passionate about making a real difference in the areas where we have homes and this project will bring a much needed resource to the local area.



“We have worked closely with Newcastle United Foundation for a number of years and have enjoyed great success with our joint employability programmes. The centre will take this one step further and provide pathways into work, training or education and give opportunities to those who need them most.



“This new facility will also bring a number of physical and social benefits at a time when exercise and wellbeing has probably never been more important.”



Deputy Head of Newcastle United Foundation, Sarah Medcalf, added: “We’re delighted to have another local organisation working alongside us on this historic project.



“The pandemic will have lasting impact on all levels of society, but it’s important that the Foundation and its partners support our region’s most vulnerable communities.



“In return for investing in the community, Your Homes Newcastle will play a key role in helping us deliver a safe space to support people and bring the region together.