Young people on the Isle of Wight are being offered a unique opportunity to lead on the redevelopment of a recreational space.

It’s part of plans to increase youth engagement in sport and physical activity in the Bay area, and also provide them with the skills needed to feel empowered to run projects themselves.

The new initiative is being led by the charity Community Action Isle of Wight, in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth’s School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Wight Wave Beach Sports and Sandown Town Council.

The Sandown region was identified as an area neglected in terms of access to youth facilities and services.

As a result, Sandham Gardens has been chosen to be redeveloped into a new recreational space, with upgraded state-of-the-art facilities.

Sandown Town Council is working with the Football Foundation on a potential PlayZone, as part of its capital investment programme.

There will be investment from the Premier League, the Football Association and the Government through Sport England. 

PhD student Hannah Prieto from the university has been employed full-time to develop the initiative, alongside a local youth provision forum, which will help ensure consultation with children, young people and families to help shape the project.