PZN Youth, a vital service for young people in Penzance and Newlyn, has pledged to continue its mission after its bid to purchase its current venue was not selected for support by the Community Levelling Up Panel.

With the fund heavily oversubscribed, the panel faced tough decisions and chose to prioritise projects in other areas of Penwith — a decision influenced in part by previous Town Deal investment in Penzance. Despite this, PZN Youth’s bid received overwhelming public backing and shone a light on the urgent and growing need for dedicated youth provision in the town.

“This decision was hugely disappointing,” said Bek Breslaw, PZN Youth’s founder and manager. “The Town Deal has been wonderful for Penzance, but it hasn’t addressed the urgent need for a dedicated youth venue. We’re seeing rising demand from young people, and believe that the location in the middle of Penzance is part of what makes it work so well. But without ownership of the building, we are stuck in a rent cycle on a full repair lease and are unable to access the funding needed to expand the space and meet that growing need.”

Entirely funded by grants and donations, including core funding from Penzance Council, PZN Youth provides free, open-access youth club nights that include healthy meals, creative activities, games, and access to supportive adults. Their Friday night sessions now regularly welcome and feed up to 50 young people across three time slots.

The impact on young people is clear, with many sharing how much the service means to them:

PZN Youth had hoped to purchase the building for £120,000, allowing them to extend and transform the space to accommodate their growing demand. Although the CLUP bid was unsuccessful, the team has secured Community Capacity Funding to work with local firm Hireth Architects on a feasibility study. Young people will have a direct role in shaping the redesign to ensure the space meets their needs and aspirations.

The organisation’s work is strongly supported by local professionals, including a Clinical Psychologist working in NHS family mental health services, who said: “While clinical services help, I often notice that organisations like PZN Youth have the most impact.

“They provide safe, fun, regular opportunities for young people to connect—experiences that research shows can have lifelong effects on mental health and resilience. PZN Youth delivers that, and we must ensure they can continue to grow and support the young people who rely on them.”

Beyond drop-in sessions, PZN Youth offers girls’ and boys’ groups, daytime support for young people not in education, and 1:1 mentoring, where funding allows. The organisation is responsive to the needs of young people, providing groups and services that they specifically request, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met.

PZN Youth have expressed sincere gratitude to the community for their overwhelming support during the bidding process. The team is incredibly thankful for the ongoing encouragement from local parents, professionals, and the young people they serve.

Now more determined than ever, PZN Youth is calling on the community, local businesses, and philanthropists to help them go ahead with purchasing the building they currently lease.

Ownership will enable them to carry out the renovation and expansion the space so desperately needs - ensuring it can continue to meet the needs of local young people for years to come.