Led by the University of York, in partnership with Westfield Primary Community School and York High School, the centre is open Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year for a range of free activities on offer including study and play sessions, as well as dedicated time to support adults in the community.

Corporate donors, such as Aviva, Hiscox, Persimmon and Portakabin, are also supporting the centre by co-creating programmes that will help children and young people in the area to develop professional skills and offer guidance on routes into employment.

Prior to its opening in October 2023, the Centre team met with several schools in the area to understand the challenges they face in education, and looked to co-create programmes of learning to reduce gaps in educational attainment and help young people progress through the education system to achieve their goals and future ambitions.

Working with the local council and Westfield residents, the community centre, Sanderson House, was identified as a location for the new Centre, and a summer-long renovation programme adapted the building into a welcoming space for people to socialise and learn.