Riverside Youth Club began a phased reopening in May 2025, following its redevelopment in partnership between Lewisham Council, Youth First, Millwall Community Trust and the Football Foundation.
Upon completion of its last core works in Summer 2025, the 3-storey youth centre will have a new 3G football pitch, basketball court, 2 indoor halls, small commercial training kitchen and several multi-purpose rooms, with a music studio coming later in 2025.
Riverside's redevelopment has happened over multiple years with input from young people in the Pepys and Deptford communities, local youth organisations, residents, and many dedicated individuals across partners and broader Lewisham. We thank you so much for your support of its reopening and youth services in the borough.
Once fully open, the site will offer:
- Transformed indoor and outdoor for young people and their communities (see full list below)
- Youth provision from Lewisham Youth Services and community partners multiple nights per week
- New sport, arts and tech equipment from Youth First
- New opportunities for youth service providers, community hires and more
Facilities
Revamped indoor and outdoor spaces across 3 floors for young people:
- 3G 5-a-side Astroturf football pitch & outdoor games court with viewing terrace
- Sport, performance & multi-purposed activity halls
- Learning and work spaces
- TV & game room
- Wellbeing room
- Art room
- Music studio
- Training kitchen
Are young people involved on Riverside’s redevelopment? How can I have my voice heard as a young person?
Young people from the Pepys, Deptford and broader Lewisham communities meet monthly to input on all aspects of Riverside’s redevelopment. This includes creative design elements in the building, equipment they want to see, planning the activities that will be offered and more.
All young people from the community are welcomed and encouraged to join our group meet-ups (food provided!) or simply message us with your thoughts or ideas for the youth club. Contact our Project Manager to shape your local youth club.
How can community and youth groups inquire about delivering programmes and hiring space at Riverside?
Riverside is keen to host a diverse array of community partners, youth groups and other hires to bring the vision for the youth club to life, meet diverse needs, create exciting experiences for young people and build out a full schedule of activity. If your organisation is interested in delivering and hiring space at Riverside, please contact us.
How can local residents, parents and carers get involved?
Riverside’s priority is a safe, welcoming space for all that serves young people and their communities. Please contact us with any questions, concerns or ideas you want to voice as it prepares for reopening.
We are also keen for volunteers to support youth projects, facilities, equipment, or volunteer your time to support inspiring new spaces developed with young people, for young people.
Here’s a video from some of the young people involved in our Riverside Young Advisors Group, filmed and produced by a former Riverside Youth Club attendee: Riverside Youth Club in Deptford renovations works update - YouTube.
Riverside Youth Club had been closed for restoration and is now reopening with redeveloped indoor and outdoor facilities, including a brand new 3G football pitch. Lewisham Council, Lewisham Youth Service, Millwall Community Trust, the Football Foundation, many residents and young people from the local Pepys and Deptford communities have been involved in the project to bring young visions for the centre to life.
