Warrington Youth Zone: New generation youth clubs are transforming youngsters lives

Warrington Youth Zone: New generation youth clubs are transforming youngsters lives
July 2022

On Saturday 2nd July 2022, Warrington Youth Zone opened its doors for the first time to the young people of Cheshire, where it welcomed over 1,400 people as well as surpassing the 1000-member mark. It represents the 14th Youth Zone in a growing OnSide network that has expanded across the UK since its inception almost 15 years ago.

The day started with a parade from the Town Hall and through the town centre before reaching the Youth Zone at 11am. As the sun shone down, the ribbon was cut by Youth Zone volunteer Juan Pujol, Warrington Borough Council Chief Executive Professor Steven Broomhead, Warrington Youth Zone trustee and funder Chris Purslow and 16-year-old member Amy Harding.

Young people and their families were then treated to an action-packed community fun day, with all the Youth Zone’s activity spaces open – these include a giant climbing wall, music room and recording suite, rooftop 3G pitch, dance studio, gym, four-court sports hall, multimedia room, boxing and martial arts gym, teaching kitchen, hairdressing studio, plus so much more. The centre has everything a young person needs to thrive!

 

Warringtons-Climbing-Wall-1024x683
Warrington Youth Zone’s Climbing Wall

 

Warrington-Boxing-1024x683
Warrington Youth Zone’s Boxing Gym

 

Warrington-Cake-Decorating-1024x683
Warrington Youth Zone’s Arts & Crafts

 

Warringtons-Dance-Studio-1024x683
Warrington Youth Zone’s Dance Studio

 

CEO, Dave McNicholl, said, “It has been the most incredible and emotional day. I want to say a huge thank-you to everyone who joined us for our celebration.

“To have over 1,000 young people signed up as members on day one is incredible. We’re now open to them seven days a week – offering them over 20 activities each time they visit.

“We were also really lucky to be joined by so many of our wonderful funders, including Warrington Borough Council. They have been an integral part of our journey and we can’t thank them enough.”

The four-hour celebration also included food and live entertainment before it concluded at 3pm and the Youth Zone’s programme kicked off with its first senior session for young people aged 12 and upwards.

For more information on the wide range of sessions available at Warrington Youth Zone for different age groups and those with additional needs, please visit: https://warringtonyouthzone.org/

 

OnSide

OnSide, is a national charity determined to make sure that all young people have the opportunity to shine, the chance to discover their passion and their purpose.

They fund, build, launch and support a network of state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound Youth Zones in the UK’s most disadvantaged areas. These are incredible spaces filled with energy, inspiration and highly skilled youth workers who truly believe in young people. They support youngster by boosting their confidence, friendships, and job opportunities.

They involve a partnership between young people and their community, local authorities and private business leadership, and a growing movement of supporters. Together, they believe that all young people need is a chance to discover what they’ve got and where it could take them.

 

What makes OnSide Youth Zones unique:

  • Open 7 days a week including evenings, weekends, and schools holidays.
  • Over 20 activities on offer each session, including sports, music, media, dance, drama and much more.
  • Kitted out with state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Staffed by skilled and dedicated youth workers who really care, supported by a team of committed volunteers.
  • Open to all young people with a typical membership of 4,000 young people aged 8 to 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs) with 100 to 250 young people attending every session.
  • Delicious hot meals available from £1 at the café.
  • Youngsters pay £5 annual membership fee, then 50p every time they visit.
  • Provide targeted support both in house and through external specialist services, creating a seamless link between the Youth Zone and local services.

For more information, please visit: https://www.onsideyouthzones.org/

 

Youth-Zone-Podcast-Studio-1024x683
Onside Youth Zone Recording Suite

 

Youth_Zone_Footall_Pitch_90_1_60-1024x684
Onside Youth Zone Football Pitch

 

Youth_Zone_Music_Studio_60-1024x681
Onside Youth Zone Music Studio

 

Youth-Zone-Kitchen-1024x681
Onside Youth Zone Teaching Kitchen

 

OnSide’s Metro Feature

A recent article published by Metro enlightens readers on the impact of these Onside Youth Zones and their potential to transform young people’s lives for the better through exclusive case studies and interviews of those who run and attend these incredible spaces.

To read the full article, please visit: The 21st century youth clubs turning young lives around | Metro News.

pattern
pattern

Careers with Blenheim Chalcot

Explore our open roles and career programmes

BC Gazzel