BBC Star Jo Whiley Opens Exciting Youth Space

Thanks to a £500,000 investment from the SITA Trust, the local community interest company, Make a Difference, has transformed a former bus station into a vibrant, ultra-modern youth and community hub known as The Buszy. This exciting regeneration project has breathed new life into the space, creating a venue that will be the envy of other cities.

Officially opened by Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley and young volunteers, the launch event saw hundreds of young people from Milton Keynes participate in a skate jam, street dance battle, DJ sessions, film screenings, graffiti art, and ‘trashion’ workshops. This initiative is a prime example of volunteering for young people across the UK, promoting creativity and innovation.

The Buszy, already renowned for its skate park, now hosts a state-of-the-art performance and gig venue, a dance studio, recording and rehearsal spaces, Milton Keynes’ first independent boutique cinema, an urban garden, and a café. Improvements to the skate park were designed through consultations with young volunteers from across Milton Keynes, showcasing exemplary teamwork and collaboration.

The SITA Trust and Vinspired are thrilled that The Buszy is regenerating an area of central Milton Keynes, transforming a disused bus station into a thriving focal point at the city’s center. This social action strengthens the role of young people in the area and promotes social enterprise as a sustainable, ethical way to do business. Vinspired is also collaborating with private sector organizations like Nike, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and ITV on Match Fund projects.

Danny Quinn, Arts & Culture Manager for Make a Difference, expressed excitement about the transformation, stating, “This is by far one of the most exciting things to happen to our city. Over the years, we have engaged thousands of young people in positive activities, and regenerating the Bus Station into this exciting new venue is a fantastic opportunity for everyone. There is nothing else like it in the country. We are ecstatic to have secured this funding and look forward to sharing the space with the community of Milton Keynes.”

For more information on The Buszy and the activities taking place, visit our website.

Explore more about volunteering in arts & culture, and check out our Summer of Give initiative, along with Tony’s SOG blog from V Festival 2010 and other exciting projects.