Arc Oxford creates space for 'Oxford Centre for Youth Innovation'

Published by

Tom Kilkelly

Credit: ARC Oxford

Oxford's innovation cluster Arc Oxford has provided 'in-kind' space to charity Oxfordshire Youth to create its Centre for Youth Innovation.

The local community surrounding the campus is in the top 20 percent of most deprived wards in the UK, with 36 percent of children living in poverty. This new centre is being created to help struggling children in the area.

By converting Building 4400, the new Oxford Centre for Youth Innovation will create dedicated space for face-to-face interaction with young people, provide space for the charity to deliver its leadership programmes, and help young people develop essential skills.

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Director at ARC Oxford, Dan Williams, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support such an important local charity. It’s really important that as ARC Oxford we invest in the communities that we are proud to be part of. Ideas and innovation comes from diverse thinking and we’re looking forward to working closely with Oxford Youth to help inspire and improve the skills of young people from the local community.”

ARC Oxford has worked closely with the charity for the last 12 months, including fundraising, and providing meeting space. This recent initiative will allow Oxfordshire Youth to reach more young people and deliver additional programmes.

CEO of Oxfordshire Youth, Jodie Lloyd-Jones, said: “We are thrilled to be experiencing a hugely warm welcome in our new home. Our Centre for Youth Innovation affords the young people we work with and our staff team fantastic opportunities.

''The OX4 communities surrounding ARC Oxford include some of the most deprived areas in the UK, and being here, we feel truly energised at the prospect of partnering with the ARC community and significantly transforming outcomes for young people in this neighbourhood and across Oxfordshire, over the next 10 years.”

Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022. During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan). His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.