Playland Receives £300,000 National Lottery Funding
We’re delighted to announce that Playland has been awarded £300,000 of National Lottery funding, securing three more years of growth, creativity and meaningful community impact.
Thanks to National Lottery players, Playland can now supercharge its mission – planning more workshops, events and training opportunities for young people in Portsmouth to explore, experiment and flourish.
This major investment marks a defining moment for Playland: a vibrant and inclusive creative hub designed, shaped and built by local under 30s from the ground up. Over the past year, their imagination and commitment – supported by Artswork staff – have transformed the space into a buzzing space where young people can build skills, share interests, connect with others and make a difference to their community.
This funding will also help expand skills development, hands-on work experience and pathways into the creative industries- opening doors for even more young people within the city.
Under 30’s share their experiences of Playland
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I've had a wonderful experience at Playland. The community is a fantastic group to be a part of, and I’m always excited to get stuck in any way I can. From Warhammer games nights to illustration days - we have big plans for Playland!
I’ve been at Playland since the very beginning, before there were even floors or walls! At the time, I didn’t have much confidence - I just knew I wanted to be part of something that could make a real difference for creative people like me. Playland has become this incredible space where inspiring, creative people come together to make something magical. To me, Playland is the people - everyone is equal, supported and encouraged to grow. I’m so grateful for the friendships and opportunities it’s given me. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Playland.
Spending time at Playland has honestly been such a wonderful experience. Every moment has made a positive difference in my life I feel happier, more outgoing and more connected to people than ever before. I feel like I've made a difference in the community and that I will continue to be able to move barriers and change the perspective of people towards young people thanks to Playland.
With thanks to The National Lottery
With this funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, we can continue with our mission for Playland, bringing more creative opportunities to under 30’s in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. This is our first youth-led hub in the UK, but we hope this is the start of something bigger for spaces like this across the globe.