ROOTS AND RISE HUB NOW OPEN

An ambitious new community initiative designed to empower young people in Peterborough through sport, creativity, and mentorship has had a successful start in Queensgate.

The new Roots & Rise hub has opened at Unit 80 on the first floor (between New Look and Primark), with hundreds of visitors popping in throughout the day of its launch.

A major highlight was an appearance by Peterborough United (POSH) players Alex Bass and Sam Hughes who signed autographs and met fans. They were joined by POSH Women’s players Sophie Harris and Niamh Connor, who added to the buzz of the day.

Roots & Rise marks an exciting new chapter for local creative leader Roland from RB7 Art Centre CIC and his team, who’ve expanded from a smaller unit into this much larger space at Queensgate. The project has evolved into a dynamic collaboration between The Lions/MAD, Top Yard Boxing, RB7 Art Centre CIC, POSH, and Queensgate itself – all united by a shared goal of creating positive opportunities for young people in the city.

The new hub will deliver a diverse programme of activities, including football sessions led by POSH and The Lions, mentoring and life skills workshops, creative arts and media projects with RB7, and boxing sessions with Top Yard Boxing. Together, these will provide a safe, inspiring space where young people can develop skills, build confidence, and find pathways into education, training, and employment.

Catherine Lambert, Centre Director at Queensgate, said - “Roots & Rise is more than a new space – it’s a statement about what can be achieved when sport, creativity, and community come together. We’re proud to host this project in Queensgate and to support its vision of inspiring young people and reducing barriers to opportunity. Seeing Roland and his team grow into this much larger unit shows just how much impact this initiative is already having.”

Roots & Rise is now running a packed programme of community-led events, workshops, and showcases – all from its new Queensgate base.

For more information, visit: www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk