"This is our way of giving something back to the community that has supported us and its great to see young people already benefitting from the new and improved centre."
Mike Banton, managing director at Artez
A charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people has unveiled its new look following a recent makeover.
The Harmony Youth Project was named as the winner of a competition launched by Artez – a Bolton-based construction specialist – to reward a local community group with a much-needed refurbishment, up to the value of £25,000.
The occasion was marked with a celebration at the charity’s base in Wordsworth Mill, Halliwell on Thursday 19 October, which included performances by past and present members of the project and a tour of the newly refurbished media centre.
Harmony Youth Project is a well-established local organisation that helps the town’s most disadvantaged youths realise their potential through music, photography, video and other creative arts. Harmony’s work promotes a strong message of equality, self-confidence, anti-bullying and multiculturalism and has been awarded by several local authorities, including Bolton Council.
Charlie Barrett, project co-ordinator at Harmony Youth Project, said: “The relaunch event has truly highlighted how beneficial the refurbishment has been and how much the young people appreciate it. We want them to come here and feel safe, supported and inspired, and we believe the transformation will provide a real boost to the development of young talent at the project and across Bolton.”
Boutique construction firm Artez directed a complete refurbishment of the existing kitchen, installed new flooring as well as a new stage structure for performances and completely revamped the decor throughout the building.
The team at Artez has worked on the likes of The Market Place in Bolton – leading the extensive regeneration of the town centre – Stubbs Mill in Manchester and the well-known Bunker Building in Liverpool.
Mike Banton, managing director at Artez, said: “Charlie and Harmony stood out for us because, not only is their great work evident in the young people we have met during our time here, but we felt we could make a real, tangible impact to the club with our expertise. We have a vast amount of experience working with historic and unloved buildings, so we aimed to make the most of the beautiful hidden structure of Harmony’s existing space – it gives a new lease of life while holding on to the character of the building.
“We’re extremely proud of our roots in Bolton and grateful to be a part of the regeneration that has transformed the town centre over the last few years. This is our way of giving something back to the community that has supported us – and it’s great to see young people already benefitting from the new and improved centre.”
For more information about Harmony Youth Project, please visit www.harmonyyouthproject.co.uk. For more information about Artez, please visit www.artezgroup.co.uk.
