Transforming The Refinery: A £100,000 Investment in Sheffield’s Youth
It was 2 years ago that we announced our greatest leap of faith yet- moving to Wards Exchange on Ecclesall road to establish our new headquarters, The Refinery. When Golddigger Trust first took the keys to this building, we knew it was the right move for the young people of Sheffield, but the scale of the renovation required was daunting- especially the first floor, which was a singular, 5000 sqft former call centre floor. We had big plans- and no funds!
Today, we are overjoyed to share the final chapter of that renovation story: that thanks to a £100,000 grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) "Better Youth Spaces" fund, the transformation is complete.
The Road to 100%
For a long time, we weren’t entirely sure how we would reach the finish line. We have been incredibly fortunate to have partners who believed in us from the start; the generous pro-bono renovation work by Henry Boot and their partners, and C+A Design was foundational, getting us to about 60% completion.
They turned a shell into a functioning space, but as a charity navigating a difficult financial landscape, the final 40%—the furnishing, the kitting out of kitchens, and the completion of our session/meeting suites—felt like a mountain we might be climbing for years. This DCMS grant was the missing piece of the puzzle that we simply could not have provided ourselves.
A Space That Works for Everyone
This funding hasn't just "finished" the building; it has unlocked its full potential. We have moved from three usable spaces to six beautiful, versatile spaces. The grant kitted out:
The Refinery Cafe: Now a high-spec, welcoming environment open to the general public (Mon–Thurs, 8am–3pm) and as the central hub of our youth work through our Wellbeing Cafe (open Mon-Thurs, 3-6pm).
Professional Kitchens on all floors: Supporting both our internal youth sessions and our community cafe.
Multi-functional spaces that are fit for purpose: From replacing the carpet with wipeable vinyl in our art rooms, to installing a movable dividing wall to offer multi-size rooms for young people and training events.
Modern Offices & Meeting Rooms: Creating a professional hub for our staff and a premier hire venue for Sheffield businesses.
Investing in our Independence
One of the most exciting aspects of this transformation is that it allows Golddigger Trust to become more self-sustaining. By kitting out these spaces to such a high standard, we can now offer professional room hire for business meetings, away days, and events, and open our cafe to the public during the day.
Every coffee bought in the cafe and every room booked by a local business generates vital income. This means the grant isn't just a one-off impact; it’s an investment in our ability to keep the lights on and our doors open for young people for years to come.
A Word from our CEO
"This grant is truly transformational for Golddigger Trust," says Beth Stout, Chief Executive at Golddigger Trust. "It has equipped us for the future, providing us with some of the best facilities in the city. More importantly, it sends a powerful message to the young people we serve: that they are worth the very best. These beautiful spaces aren't just 'nice to have'- they are the tools that allow us to continue unearthing value and building hope for years to come."
Join us at The Refinery
We would love to show you around! Why not…
Visit the Cafe: Every penny of profit goes directly back into our work with young people.
Hire a Space: Looking for a meeting room with a mission? Visit www.therefinerysheffield.co.uk to see our new spaces for hire for groups of 2-100.
