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02/08/2010 15:27: Jo Whiley launches The Buszy

Attended by the Mayor of Milton Keynes: Debbie Brock and Radio One DJ Jo Whiley, the event saw a showcase of Make A Difference (MAD)’s best and brightest. From Skate Jams to Trashion, the exciting variety of activities was a real eye-opener on just how beneficial MAD has been for the youth of Milton Keynes.

Funded by the SITA Trust, the Buszy is now home to a vintage shop, gig space, independent cinema and soon to be dance studio, Fairtrade Cafe!

Firstly, SITA trust representative, Andy welcomed everyone with an optimistic outlook towards the Buszy and MAD’s future.

Phillipa Moyle then came on stage, with a speech on how much MAD has built her experience in journalism, marketing and communications over the years through volunteering.

With Jo Whiley arriving and cutting the much anticipated purple ribbon, the Buszy was officially launched!

Check our photo gallery for images of the launch!

12/10/2009 16:22: The Buszy receives half a million from SITA Trust and V

A former nightclub and bus station in Central Milton Keynes, is to be transformed into a youth hub complete with Dance Studio, World Class Skatepark, Healthy and Fairtrade Café Space, Performance, Gig and Exhibition Space and Independent Cinema. Thanks to a half million pound grant from SITA Trust and v,  the youth volunteering charity.

Make a Difference, an MK based community interest company, are leading this exciting development project that will provide over 900 volunteering opportunities for young people aged 16-25 in the city.

Building work at the site started at the beginning of October, to transform the disused nightclub, to provide facilities including a dance studio with sprung floor, a music recording/rehearsal studio and a venue for music/cinema/performance events. The building will also house a health food and fairtrade café, meeting spaces and a gallery overlooking the existing skate park, currently known as 'the Buszy'. The entire site will adopt the name given to it by the skaters of Central Milton Keynes. 

The venue will become a permanent home for Make a Difference, who will be facilitating over 900 youth volunteering opportunities as a direct result of this funding. Young people will be able to design and run activities and positive opportunities across a wide variety of sectors including arts, culture, music, sport, environment, catering and youth work.

Youth Volunteering Development Manager Anna Peters said: ‘We are ecstatic to have secured this funding to revamp the Buszy. We have been looking for a building where we can create and host activities for young people based around their passions and interests. There is no housing or residential areas around the site itself, so the young people can run activities in the evenings without worrying about making too much noise. The Buszy’s location, right next to Milton Keynes Central Rail Station, means that the new facilities will be easily accessible to all with excellent links to the city's public transport network.'

Planners have engaged the original architect of the Buszy to help renovate the area and a youth lead team are working with him to agree plans and ensure their input starts from the drawing board upto the finished site. Members of the Make a Difference Youth Action Team in Milton Keynes are working hard to ensure their peers and other young people across the city are consulted in the development of the site. They have also been consulting with original Architect, Robert De Grey. 

For more information about Make a Difference go to: www.mad-uk.org