Youth Centre Secured in Ramsgate, Bringing Hope and Relief

Published: 05 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

In Ramsgate, the focus on youth services has intensified after the town’s last youth centre was successfully saved from closure. Youth provision in coastal towns has faced severe cuts, and Ramsgate’s centre had been at risk of being sold by the local council. The Pie Factory Music charity, which has operated the centre for thirteen years, has now secured the freehold, ensuring ongoing access to essential services for young people. This youth centre provides critical support including counselling, employment guidance, creative arts, and life-skills workshops for local children and teenagers.

The campaign to save the Ramsgate youth centre began in September 2024 and culminated in a successful purchase, aided by a £535,000 grant from the Pride in Place strategy. The programme, backed by the Labour Party, aims to invest significantly in deprived communities across England. According to reports, the youth centre not only serves as a safe social space but also saves the council over £500,000 annually by reducing pressures on mental health, youth justice, and social care services.

Chief executive Zoë Carassik expressed both relief and hope following the successful acquisition. “Knowing our future in the building is secure fills us with hope and relief,” she said. Carassik emphasised the need for the government’s Youth Matters strategy, announced late last year, to provide concrete investment rather than mere promises. “Youth provision should not rely solely on charities like ours,” she added, urging ministers and MPs to strengthen statutory protections for youth services.

Over the past decade, youth centres across England and Wales have faced unprecedented funding challenges. Research from the YMCA indicates a 73% decrease in funding in England and a 6% annual decline in Wales between 2010 and 2024. In response, Labour pledged £88 million towards youth clubs and after-school activities to help reverse this trend.

Ramsgate’s situation reflects a broader national concern regarding coastal towns, where young people are significantly more likely to face undiagnosed mental health conditions. The Guardian’s “Against the Tide” series highlighted these challenges, with University College London research pointing to the scarcity of youth spaces as a major contributing factor to social and mental health issues in such areas.

The Pie Factory Music youth centre offers a diverse array of programmes, including support for young refugees and opportunities to engage in music, arts, and community projects. Local officials, including Brian Horton, interim chair of the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board, praised the centre’s achievements. “The board is making a clear statement: we are committed to providing safe, positive spaces for the next generations to thrive,” Horton said.

Despite the success, Carassik warned that ongoing government support is essential to prevent other youth centres from facing similar threats. She highlighted that the Ramsgate centre’s campaign should serve as a warning about the fragility of youth services when reliant on charitable efforts alone. Local communities, charities, and councils must collaborate to secure sustainable funding models to protect vulnerable young people from further service cuts.

Youth centres remain a vital lifeline, particularly in coastal towns where deprivation levels are high, and the need for mental health support is acute. The Ramsgate youth centre now stands as a model for preserving essential community spaces through determined local advocacy combined with targeted government funding. With the centre’s future safeguarded, the town can continue nurturing young talent and offering safe environments for social, educational, and creative development.

The success story in Ramsgate underscores the importance of strategic investment in youth provision. Protecting centres from closure not only benefits immediate participants but strengthens long-term community resilience. Pie Factory Music’s achievement demonstrates how local charities, supported by structured funding initiatives, can make a significant difference in areas facing social and economic challenges.

Community leaders and policymakers continue to emphasise the urgency of evaluating youth service policies nationwide. Without proactive measures, other towns may encounter similar threats to vital social infrastructure, undermining opportunities for young people. Ramsgate’s experience sends a clear message that youth centres are not optional; they are essential for fostering the next generation’s wellbeing and potential.

The story of Ramsgate’s youth centre is a testament to the power of advocacy, collaboration, and targeted funding. It reminds policymakers, local authorities, and communities of the ongoing need to protect youth services from neglect. By securing the centre’s future, Ramsgate demonstrates a replicable model for other deprived towns across the UK, balancing charity initiative and government support to create sustainable youth-focused environments.

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