Allison Homes and Accent Housing donation helps young people in March develop new skills

Young People March (YPM), the local youth charity supported by Allison Homes and Accent Housing earlier this year, has shared an encouraging update on how a £11,000 donation is already helping to fund new projects and improvements for local young people. 

The funding was part of the Allison Partnerships Charitable Scheme, through which Allison Homes commits £100 for every home built on its Partnerships developments. The donation was linked to Upwell Meadows, the 110-home affordable housing scheme being delivered by Allison Homes and Accent Housing off Upwell Road in March. As well as providing new affordable homes, the partnership aims to ensure the development brings lasting benefits to the wider community. Construction began earlier this year, with foundations laid in May, and the first residents are expected to move into the new homes during 2026 as the development progresses steadily towards completion.  

Since the cheque presentation in August, the donation has helped YPM offer creative opportunities and practical life-skills sessions designed around the needs and interests of its members. 

Sarah Housley-Stott, Centre Manager at YPM, said: “Since receiving the donation, we’ve been able to trial new projects and give our young people a real say in what happens here. Our SEND group absolutely loved the music sessions we set up, and they’ve continued enjoying playing together, still making great use of the drum kit that was kindly provided.” 

The funding has also supported an ongoing upgrade of the youth centre’s coffee bar area. Young people have contributed ideas for the redesign, helping to plan how the space will look and function. YPM is now in the process of ordering materials and booking trades to carry out the work. While progress will continue into the new year, Sarah hopes the coffee bar will be ready in early 2026, just in time for a series of creative workshops planned for the February half term. 

“Our members have been really hands-on with the coffee bar revamp,” Sarah explained. “They’ve helped with painting and sanding, learning from decorators and volunteers while putting their own stamp on the space. Once everything’s finished, we’ll use it to host new sessions, including spoken word and cooking workshops, giving our young people somewhere fresh, safe and inspiring to come together.” 

Recent activities have included cooking sessions during drop-in evenings, where young people aged 11 to 18 have taken part in planning recipes, shopping trips and supervised cooking under the guidance of YPM staff. 

James Pennington, Partnerships and Investments Director at Allison Homes, said: “It’s wonderful to see how much progress Young People March has made since receiving the donation. The projects they’ve launched show exactly the kind of positive, lasting impact we hope to see from our Partnerships Charitable Scheme. It’s clear the funding is being put to great use, helping young people in March build skills, confidence and a sense of community.” 

Katie Prati, Senior Development Manager at Accent Group, said:
“Working with Allison Homes to deliver new build affordable housing at Upwell Meadows and initiatives such as the Partnership Charitable Donation helps to build on the wider social value generated in the community and it is wonderful to see the benefits of this contribution in the work Young People March are doing and the impact it’s having on the local young population”. 

Sarah Housley-Stott concluded: “We’re very grateful to Allison Homes and Accent Housing for their support. It’s making a real difference to what we can offer here at YPM.”