Unity Place Community Hall: IMElement CIC

Sector: Youth Services / Community Support
Mission: Bringing young people's talents, skills and strengths to the forefront by providing a safe, inclusive and dynamic support service for young people in Milton Keynes.

IME offers free weekly sessions for young people aged 12-18 years (up to 21 years for those with SEND and/or additional needs). Services include drop-in sessions, wellbeing and mentoring support, career and application guidance, creative arts activities and sports sessions.

 The Challenge

Young people in Milton Keynes face increasing challenges, including limited access to safe spaces where they can connect, receive guidance, and engage in positive activities. Many attendees come from low-income households and disadvantaged communities, making access to free, central, and easily accessible services essential.

Finding an affordable, central venue to host weekly drop-in sessions was a key challenge for IMElement CIC, as venue costs can significantly impact the ability to provide free, high-quality services and vital resources such as food parcels and warm meals.

The Solution: Unity Place Community Hall

Unity Place has provided IMElement CIC with free use of its Community Hall every Wednesday. The central location, with excellent public transport links and free evening parking, offers a safe, inclusive environment for young people across Milton Keynes to attend. This partnership allows IMElement to focus on delivering meaningful, consistent support to young people without the financial burden of venue hire.

The Impact

Accessibility: Young people now have a central, easy-to-reach location for vital services, including wellbeing support, mentoring, and career guidance.

Safe Space: The Unity Place Community Hall provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where young people feel understood, listened to, and supported.

Positive Outcomes: IMElement’s recent study revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 100% of young people reporting that they get on well with staff, feel understood and listened to, find the sessions inclusive, and would recommend them to a friend.

By removing the financial barrier of venue hire, IMElement can reinvest resources into providing food parcels, warm meals, and extended services for young people who need it most.

Ready to hire our community hall for free and set your plans in motion for the people of Milton Keynes? Just send over your request at least 14 days before your event date. You can book morning, afternoon, or early evening slots (whatever suits you best).

Regular bookings are welcome – we’ll just check in every 3 months before confirming the next round. Please note that any mess or damage is the responsibility of the booking party. We kindly ask users to set up their space and tidy afterwards so that everyone can enjoy a clean and welcoming venue.