January - February 2024 Newsletter

OurYoungPeople

Pages2,3,4&5

OurPatrons

Pages6,7,8&9

OurPartners

Pages10,11&12

OurPeople

Page13,14&15

OurPlace

Pages16

Our Young People

Winter Holiday Club Look Back

OurWinterHolidayClub(HAF)wasa hitthisJanuary,bringingaweekoffun tokickoffthenewyear Butb thefestivities,it'sessentialto therealimpactwe'vehadon members,especiallyduringt toughtimes.

ManyfamiliesinBlackburnan Darwenhavebeenstruggling financialchallenges.Ourholid steppedintoprovidesuppor 600youngpeoplehadacces safespace,educationalactiv awarmmealeveryday.

Inessence,ourWinterHoliday servedasabeaconofsuppo offeringasanctuaryforthose WiththehelpoftheGetStuck programmefunding,ourpatr funding,patrongiftdonations dedicatedstaffandvoluntee ensuredthatnochildwenthu with.

Pancake day fun

So,guesswhathappenedonShrove Tuesday?

Ouryoungpeoplechannelledtheirinner MasterChefandparticipatedina pancake-makingextravaganza!Check outsomeofthefunmomentscaptured duringtheirpancake-makingday!

‘SPOT’ an agile robot dog visits Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone

InJanuaryofthisyear,Blackburn& DarwenYouthZonehadaspecialguest: 'Spot',anagilerobotdogcreatedby BostonDynamics.Spotamazedour youngpeoplewithitsabilitytoclimb stairs,avoidobstacles,andmoveover roughterrain.It'sworthmentioningthat thereareonlyafewoftheserobotsinthe country,whichmadetheexperienceeven moreexciting!

Spot'sdemonstrationnotonlyshowcased thecutting-edgecapabilitiesofrobotics andAI,butalsosparkedcuriosityand inspirationamongouryoungpeople.Our commitmenttonurturingapassionfor technologyisevidentinour'MakerZone' attheYouthZone,whichoffersunique opportunitiesforhands-onlearningand exploration.

Thankstopartnershipswithorganisations suchastheUniversityofSheffieldAMRC andBostonDynamics,weareableto exposeouryoungpeopletotheexciting possibilitiesoftechnology,empowering themtobecometheinnovatorsofthe future.

Spotlight on Children's Mental Health Week

Februarywasamonthdedicatedtoraisingawarenessaboutchildren'smentalhealth, andwearethrilledtosharesomewonderfuleventsthatweorganisedtopromotethis cause.

GenerationIsolationinpartnershipwithYouGovhighlightedthat49%ofyoungpeople acrosstheNorthWestregionreporthighorveryhighlevelsofanxiety Inaddition68%of youngpeopleareconcernedaboutthecostofliving,andmanyarelivingisolatedlives with51%spendingmostoftheirfreetimeathomeand78%spendingmostoftheirfree timeonscreens(Readmorehere:

https://www.onsideyouthzones.org/generationisolation/).Thisstatisticunderscoresthe criticalimportanceofinitiativeslikeoursthatprovideplatformsforyoungpeopleto addressandmanagetheirmentalhealth

Westartedwithaheart-warminginitiativewhereouryouthworkersandyoungpeople connectedoverhotchocolatetodiscusswaysofdealingwithmentalhealthissues.This sessionprovidedasafespaceforouryoungpeopletoexpresstheirthoughtsand feelings,andourteamwasdelightedtolendanearandoffersupport.

Tofurtherencouragecreativeexpression,wepartneredwithEastLancashireChildand AdolescentServices(ELCAS)toconductworkshopswherechildrencouldchanneltheir emotionsthroughart.Itwasajoyousexperiencetoseehowartcouldbeatherapeutic outletforyoungpeopletoexpressthemselvesandlearncopingmechanisms

Ifyouarestrugglingwithyourmentalhealth,ourteamatBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone willalwaysbehereasasupportivelisteningear.Asmallconversationaboutmental healthhasthepowertomakeabigdifference

Junior Bespoke Club kicks off!

OurSaturdayBespokeClubsessions

ahugesuccesswithouryoungpeop courseofsixweeks,theyhavepartic rangeofactivities,includingMakerZ &LifeSkills,Sports,andMini'sClub.Ea hasbeencarefullyselectedtoallow peopletolearnnewskillsanddevelo interestsinasafeandfunenvironme

TheMakerZonehasbeenabighitam youngpeople.Theyhavebeenable theircreativitybydesigningandbuil ownprojectsusingavarietyofmate TheBaking&LifeSkillsactivityhasbe wayforouryoungonestolearnimpo skillssuchascooking,cleaning,and

Sportshasbeenafunwayforouryoungpeople tostayactiveandhealthy,whileMini'sClu beenagreatwayforouryoungermembe (ages5-7)toengageingamesandothe activities.

Attheendofthesix-weekprogramme,o youngpeoplewereawardedcertificates hardworkanddedication.Ifyouareinter learningmoreaboutourbespokeclubs,p donothesitatetogiveusacallat012542 orsendusanemailat

Oliviadunne@blackburnyzorg Wewould morethanhappytoansweranyquestion mayhave.

Valentine’s Day: Self-Love Day

OurYouthHubteamknowshowtothrowaparty! Theyrecentlyhostedaself-love'Galentine'sDay' eventforourfemaleyouth.Theydideverything fromcreatingfacemaskstomakinglipand bodyscrubsandevenincludedayogasession tohelpcalmtheirminds.

Itwasadayfilledwithlove,relaxation,and pampering.Ifonlytheyhadincludeda chocolatefountain,itwouldhavebeenthe perfectday!

Our Patrons

New Patron Alert

Dobson and Beaumont

RichardGuest,theManagingDirectorofDobsonand Beaumont,expressedhisdelight:

“WearedelightedthatDobsonandBeaumontwillbeable tocontributetothenextgenerationoftheBlackburnand Darwencommunitythroughtheincredibleworkofthe YouthZone Ourcommitmenttosupportinglocal initiativesandyouthdevelopmentalignswiththemission ofBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone,andwearehonoured toplayaroleintheirimpactfulprograms”

Murray Building Services

AsaBronzePatron,MurrayBuildingServicesLtdjoinshands withotheresteemedbusinessesinsupportingBlackburn& DarwenYouthZone’smissiontoprovideessentialservices andprogramstoyoungpeopleofBlackburnandDarwen. Thispartnershipplaysacrucialroleinsustainingthe valuableinitiativesofferedbytheYouthZone,contributingto thewell-beingandfuturesuccessofyoungpeopleinthe localarea

AndrewMurraytheManagingDirectorofMurrayBuilding Services,stated:"WearehonouredtojoinBlackburn& DarwenYouthZoneasaBronzePatron.Bysupportingthe YouthZone,weaimtocontributetothegrowthand developmentofthenextgeneration,empoweringthemto achievetheirfullpotential”

Catchpoint UK Fire and Security

CatchpointUKFireandSecurityhasproudlybecomeaBronze PatronofBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone,demonstratingtheir commitmenttosupportinglocalcommunitiesand empoweringyoungpeople

MichealLynch,DirectorofCatchpointUKFireandSecurity said:

“CatchpointUKFireandSecurityisthrilledtojoinBlackburn& DarwenYouthZoneasaBronzePatron.Wearedeeply committedtosupportingthecommunitiesweserve,andthis partnershipallowsustoinvestinthefutureofBlackburnand Darwen’syouth.Together,wecanmakeameaningful differenceinthelivesofyoungindividualsinourcommunity.”

World Of Work Tour Visits Blackburn Chemicals Ltd.

OuryoungpeoplehadtheopportunitytovisitBlackburn ChemicalsLtd.duringtheYouthHub's'WorldofWorkTour'. Thistourwasagreatsuccessamongouryouthasit providedthemwithvaluableinsightsintothe organisation,employmentpathways,science experiments,andvariousopportunitiesavailable We extendourheartfeltgratitudetoBlackburnChemicalsLtd. foropeningtheirdoorsandinspiringthenextgeneration.

Tree Planting with Staci

Ouramazingteamofyoungindividualsteamedup withStacithismonthtoundertakeatree-planting mission!Together,weplanted60treesinareasthat hadbeenaffectedbyashdieback,bringingnewlife andhopetonature.

Thedaywasconcludedwithanexcitingscavenger huntandaheartwarmingawardsceremonyheldat theforestschool.Ouryoungmembersthoroughly enjoyedeverymomentoftheday,asdidourdevoted team!

Napthens raise £5,313 for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone at Annual Charity Clay Shoot

AnannualeventhostedbylawfirmNapthensraised £5,313forlocalcharityBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone.

HeldattheConistonHotelandshootinggroundat Skipton,NorthYorkshire,thedaysawlocalbusinesses unitetoraisevitalfundsforthecharity Sponsoredby Napthens,ACGRenewablesandBowkerMotorGroup,the dayfeaturedshootinginthecountryside,followedbya three-coursedinnerandaraffle

Napthenshasorganisedthecharityclaypigeonshootfor manyyears,andtheeventisnowasignificantoneonthe charity’scalendar,whichisnottobemissed OliverMcCann,PartnerandHeadofNapthensEastLancs Office,said:

“WeareaproudPatronofBlackburn&DarwenYouth Zone,andweweredelightedtoorganisetheclaypigeon shootonceagaintoraisevitalfundsforthecharity.It’s alwaysapopularandentertainingday,mixingbusiness withfun,butitwouldn’thavebeenpossiblewithoutthose businesseswhichtookpart,andwe’dliketothank everyonefortheirsupport,inhelpingraisethisfantastic sum”

TheannualCharityClayShoothasbecomea highlightonthecharity’scalendar,showcasingthe powerofcollaborationandcommunity engagementinpositivelyimpactingthelivesof youngpeopleinBlackburnandDarwen

ThenexteventtakesplaceonThursday10th October2024.

PleasecontactKatelan.Smith@napthens.co.ukto findoutmoreinformationortoenterateam.

The Eco Zone

y , supportofBAESystems,wehaveestablishedaMakerZone withintheYouthZoneinpartnershipwithTheMakingRooms.

Thisspaceisdedicatedtohelpingyoungpeopledeveloptheirdigitaldesignskills, usingspecializedequipmentandstaff TheMakerZonehashelpedyoungpeople buildtheirconfidence,broadentheiraspirations,andimprovetheircareer prospects.

Toaddresstheneedsandissuesthatyoungpeoplearepassionateabout,wehave startedtheEcoZoneProject,fundedbyBAESystems.DuringtheMakerZone sessions,wearerecyclingcardboardandpaperthroughouttheYouthZonefor variouspurposes,includingseedbombs,storage,windowcut-outdesigns,and th tth

Shining a Light on the Benefits of Apprenticeships: National Apprenticeship Week 2024

DuringNationalApprenticeshipWeek,weputaspotlightonTom Tom,aformerjanitoratalocalsuperstoreduringthepandemic, foundhimselfunemployedagainafterrestrictionswerelifted Despite studyingArchitectureatuniversityforthreeyears,hepreferred practicalwork TomsoughtsupportfromtheBlackburn&Darwen YouthZone'sYouthHub,wherehereceivedone-on-one employabilityassistance HelearnedabouttheKickstartprogramme andappliedfortwovacancies,ultimatelychoosingaFacilities AssistantroleattheYouthZone Tomexcelledduringhissix-month Kickstartposition,demonstratinginitiativeandtalent.

WithfinancialbackingfromAccrolGroup,hesecuredaFacilities AssistantApprenticeship Currently,he'scompletinghis apprenticeshipattheYouthZonewhilestudyingatPrestonCollege onedayaweek Tom'sapprenticeshipconcludesthismonth,andhe willcontinueasaFacilitiesAssistantattheYouthZone

"Aslong-standinggoldpatronsoftheYouthZone,wewerepleased toextendourcommitmentbysponsoringTom'sapprenticeship We aredelightedtohearabouthissuccessandprogressionthroughout thecourse Welldone,Tom!" -AccrolGroup

Liamhadbeenstrugglingtofindasecurefull-timejobfora while Despitecompletingworkexperienceandshort-termjob placements,hefacedarangeofissuesthatwerebeyondhis control,suchasfundingwithdrawal,whichmadeitdifficultto gainthenecessaryexperience.

wasreferredtotheYouthHub,wherehereceivedhelpto elophissoftandtechnicalskills Theyfocusedonimproving presentationduringinterviewsforbusinessroles.Liam iedforthegovernment'sKickstartprogramandlandedhis nterviewforanadministratorroleatBlackburn&Darwen hZone Heperformedexceptionallywellduringthe view,makingitthebestonethattheinterviewershad ductedthroughouttheyearoftheprogramme

nghissix-monthplacement,Liamreceivedone-on-one portfromhisYouthHubcoach,whichhelpedhimdevelop administrativeskills Hisconfidencegrew,andhefelta wedsenseofpurposeinhelpingtheorganisationprosper mquicklybecameanessentialmemberoftheAdministration m,andashisKickstartplacementcametoanend,hewas edapermanentposition SincejoiningtheYouthZone,Liam developedakeeninterestininformationtechnologyand becomeadeptatresolvingITissueswiththeservers, ers,andothertechnologies.WiththehelpofPromethean hesecuredanapprenticeshipasanITSolutionsTechnician mstartedhisapprenticeshipinFebruary2024andstudiesat kburnCollegeonedayaweek

m:“Ihaveneverbeenhappier!IfeelworkingatBlackburn h&DarwenZoneisthedestinationIhavebeensearching

Our Partners

The Power of Partnership

Wearedelightedtoworkalongside ouramazingpartnersinmakinga positivedifference,inspiring changeandcreatingabetter futureforyoungpeoplein BlackburnwithDarwen.

Pleasetakeamomenttowatchthe videobelowandwitnessthe impactofourpartnership.

WatchOnside’svideoonhowour partners,OneVoiceBlackburn, workcloselywithBlackburn& DarwenYouthZone.

Blackburn Hawks Workshops

BlackburnHawkshavebeenvisiting Blackburn&DarwenYouthZoneforthe past4weekstodeliverhockey sessionstoouryoungpeople,andit hasbeenanamazingexperiencefor everyoneinvolved.Ouryoungpeople havebeenlearningnewskillsand havingagreattimelearninghowto playhockeyonrollerskateswiththe Hawks.

Asaspecialtreat,wehavebeengiven asectionofthecrowdreservedjustfor usatoneoftheHawks'upcoming games It'safantasticopportunityfor ouryoungpeopletogetinvolvedin sportsandexperiencethethrilloflive hockeygames.

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Heralds Careers Fair Success

MinisterforDisabledPeople,Healthand Work,MimsDaviesMP,wastheguestof honouratBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone’s CareersFaironThursday29thFebruary 2024.

includingWHP,WHPPioneer,WittonPark GreenhouseProjectandTalkingTherapies.

MinisterforDisabledPeople,Healthand Work,MimsDaviesMP,said:

Theeventwasattendedby189enthusiastic youngindividualsforwhomitofferedinsights intoapprenticeships,training&development, andjobopportunities,aswellasguidanceon overallhealthandwell-being.

Theeventbuiltontheexistingco betweenDWPandBlackburn&D Zoneandincludedcontributions rangeofbusinesses,trainingpro offeringacomprehensivearrayo opportunities,includingworkpla skillsdevelopment,apprenticesh specialisedcourses

Trainingproviderscontributingto includedamongstothersThePrin BlackburnwithDarwenAdultLea Training2000,IMO,BlackburnCo NLTG

Inadditiontocareer-focusedop thefaircollaboratedwithhealth ensureaholisticapproachtoind being,withcontributinghealthpr

anttoattendBlackburnand uthZone’sCareersFair,meetthe DWPcolleaguesandlocal whoarecreatinggreat esforyoungpeopletosucceed dtochattosomanyfantastic plewhowillbeahugeassetto ace

dicatedtohelpingyoungpeople whichweknowimprovesmental alwellbeing.Weareinvesting inmentalhealthservicesand ourDWPYouthOffertogive r25'sthebeststarttotheir

YouthZoneChiefExecutive ensaid:

oymentfairisaregularfeaturein Blackburn&DarwenYouthZone’sdiaryand buildsontheconstantworkofourYouth HubTeam Blackburn&DarwenYouthZone launchedthefirstYouthHubinthecountry in2021,alongwithourpartnerswe

recognisedhowYoungPeoplewere disproportionatelyaffectedbythe pandemic.Sincethelaunchtheyouthhub hassupportedover700youngindividuals, with220findingemploymentand280 accessingtrainingopportunities

Thissuccesshasbeenaidedbyour brilliantcommunitypartners,ourgrowing patronnetworkof74businessesandthe localauthorityawardingtheserviceUKSPF. “TheCareersFair,apivotaleventdesigned toilluminatethevastspectrumof opportunitiesforyoungindividuals,wasa resoundingsuccess

Weareparticularlygratefultoourpatrons AccrolPapersLtd,HerbertParkinsonsLtd, WECEngineeringGroup,KingswoodHomes, JDSTrucksLtd,DarwenTerracottaand BlackburnCollege,inhelpingmakethe eventsuchasuccess”

MinisterDavies’wasgivenatourofthe YouthZonebyagroupofyoungpeople whohavebenefitedfromouremployment servicesandarenowinfullemployment. Theminister'spresencebroughtsignificant valuetothefair,andshewasabletoshare invaluableinsightsandexpertiseonthe opportunitiesandchallengeswithinthe employmentsector.

Blackburn&DarwenYouthZoneispartofthe nationalOnSidemovement–anetworkof state-of-the-artYouthZonesinthemost disadvantagedareasofthecountrywho collectivelysee50,000youngpeoplethrough theirdoorseveryyear,providingaccessto highly-skilledyouthworkerswhoempower youngpeopletoleadpositive,fulfillinglives.

1v Awards 2024

whoperformedsomeoftheclassichitsfromtheSaturdayNightFeversoundtrack.

OneofourveryownyouthworkersatBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone,Muhammed Karbarhi,wasawarded'TheAyaHachemYoungPersonoftheYear'.MuhammedKarbarhi, said,“Thisawardhasgivenmethemotivationtocontinueworkinghardinmakinga positiveimpactineverythingIdo.“Ilookforwardtousingthisrecognitiontoinspireothers andcontributetothegrowthanddevelopmentsofallmyfutureendeavours”

TuyoorulJannah,BirdsofParadise, receivedthe1VGroupoftheYear2024, sponsoredbyBlackburn&Darwen YouthZone TuyooralJannahisthefirst dedicatedmadrasahforchildrenand adultswithSENDintheUK.Theysupport thevaryingneedsofindividualswith SEND(SpecialEducationalNeedsand Disabilities)usingaholisticapproach.

TuyoorulJannahraiseawarenessof SENDanditssignificancewithinour communitiesonbothanationaland internationalscale.Theorganisation markedtheendof2023withthe completionoftheirrenovationprojectat theirnewsiteonShearBankRoad, Blackburn

Our People

message from Wayne WILD

DearPatrons,Supporters,andFriends,

IamhonouredtostepintotheroleofChairmanforBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone.Asweembarkon thisnewchapter,IwanttoexpressmygratitudetotheRt.Hon.JackStrawforhisdedicatedservice, settingthestagefortheexcitingjourneyahead.

InmypreviousroleasthecommercialdirectorofWECGroup,Ialwaysbelievedininvestinginpeople andcreatingprosperityfortheborough.MycommitmentcontinuedastheongoingChairmanofThe DarwenTownDeal,overseeing£120millionincapitalandmatchedfundingtoensuretheborough becomesacatalystforprosperity.

YouthZoneDarwen

In2022,theYouthZoneDarwenprojectbegantoraise£250,000tosustainandexpandYouthZone, Darwen Thepurposeofthisexpansionwastoprovideasafeplaceforyoungpeopleinthetownto haveathrivingenvironmentforyoungpeopletoaccessforfree7daysaweek Thankstothe dedicationofDarwenbusinessesandtheBlackburnwithDarwenCouncil,weachievedthisgoalinjust threemonths ThisensuredthattheYouthZonecouldprovidea7-dayprovisioninDarwenwhere youngpeoplecouldbeinspired Iamverygratefultothepatronswhopledgedandcommittedto investinginthenextgenerationofourtownandthankfulfortheirsupport Wehavenowmovedinto newpremisesatOverDarwenHouse,RailwayRoad,whichprovidesevenmorespaceandservices

Ourvitalservices:

EversinceIjoinedBlackburn&DarwenYouthZoneasatrusteeinMarch2022,wehaveworked hardtoprovideasafeandsupportiveenvironmentforyoungpeople,offeringinspiringactivities andservicestoover5,000memberseachyear Myprimarygoalwastoensurethatyoungpeople hadfreeaccesstotheYouthZoneandahotmealwheneverneeded

Wenowhaveagrowingnetworkof>73localbusinessesacrossBlackburnandDarwenthathave playedacrucialroleinhelpingusexpandourimpact,resultingina50%increaseinbusiness supportfromJanuary2022toJanuary2024 Duetothehighdemandforourservicesinthetown, thefundsweneededtoraisehavealsoincreasedfrom£16millionto£26million;nonetheless,we areproudtocontinueprovidingvitalservicestoourcommunityandhelpingyoungpeoplethrive

Inaboroughwhereapproximatelyhalfoftheyoungpopulationlivesinpoverty,wehavesetout ambitiousplanstomakeapositiveimpact.Ourprogramshavesuccessfullysupportedover5,000 youngpeopleinthepastyearalone,demonstratingtheefficacyofourapproachandthe increasingdemandforsupportthatextendsbeyondtraditionalboundaries.

YouthHub-Supportingyoungpeopleintoemployability

TheYouthHubhasnowgoneintoitsthirdyear,providingsupportandengagementto700young peopleagedbetween16and25.Wehaveexpandedourservicestocatertoyounglocals'diverse needsandinterests,providinghigh-qualityworkshops,mentoringprograms,andsupportforlife skillsthatwillcontributetoouryoungpeople'slong-termsuccessandsustainability.Thisserviceis crucialtoensuringthatyoungpeoplereceivethenecessarysupportandopportunitiestothrive.

Tosummarise,theYouthHubhasachievedthefollowingresults:

-Supported700youngpeoplesincethelaunch

-Helped220youngpeopletofindemployment

-Providedtrainingopportunitiesto280youngpeople

-Delivered2300hoursofone-to-onesupport

-Assisted38youngpeopleinaccessingeducation

-Delivered260hoursoftraining

-Provided400hoursofactivity-basedengagement

-Organisedover20careersandaspirationsfairs

YouthInvestmentFund

Wehavereceivedagrantof£31millionfromtheYouthInvestmentFund Thiswillenableusto renovateandrejuvenateourBlackburnfacilities,startingwithTheFusebox Ourvisionforthisspace includescreatinganEmploymentZone,whichwillprovideunprecedentedopportunitiesforthe youngpeopleweserve Additionally,wehavehelpedthelocalcouncilsecure£3milliontotransform theYouthfacilitiesonKnottStreetinDarwen Weareexcitedaboutthisnewjourneyandlookforward toitspositiveimpactonthecommunity

TheFuture

Ourorganisation'sstrategyfocusesongrowthandinclusivity,extendingbeyondphysical boundariestobecomeavisibleandinfluentialpresenceinthebroadercommunity Wehave identifiedthreefundamentalpillarsofHealth&Well-being,SocialIntegration,andAspirations,Skills, andEmployabilitythatguideusincreatingalastingimpact

WeareproudtobepartoftheOnSidenetwork.currentlythereare14YouthZones,andweare expandingandbuildingafurther8nationally.OnSideisinstrumentalinsupportingyoungpeople, andweareproudtobepartofanationalmovementthatshapesthenextgeneration.

AsChairman,alongwiththeSeniorLeadershipteam;CEOHannahAllen,DirectorofOperationsLeon Crosby,DirectorofFinanceAndyThomas,andHeadofFundraisingMelThomas,weareexcitedto unveilournewfive-yearstrategy.Thisstrategyistheresultofextensiveconsultationwithyoung peopleandourpartners,andwecan'twaittoshareitwithyouall.Ourpurposeisclear-tosupport youngpeopleinreachingtheirfullpotentialandadaptingtotherapidlychangingworld.Thenew Fuseboxdevelopment,aWorldofWorkcentre,isasignificantsteptowardmeetingtheunique challengesyoungpeoplefacetoday.

IamhonouredtoleadBlackburn&DarwenYouthZoneandensurethenextgenerationthrives,andI amlookingforwardtosharingourplanswithyoutoinspirethenextgeneration.

KindRegards,

WayneWild

Chairman,Blackburn&DarwenYouthZone

Thank you, jack

Lastmonth,theboardandSenior LeadershipTeammettothankRtHon JackStrawforhis8yearsofdedication andpassionforBlackburn&Darwen YouthZoneasChairoftheTrustees.

Jacktookonthepositionjustoneweek afterhelefthisroleasBlackburn's longest-servingMP,andthemainreason forhimtakingontherolewashisdesire tocontinuegivingbacktoourvibrant town.

UnderJack'sleadership,Blackburnand DarwenYouthZonehasmadesomuch impact.Membershiphasincreasedwith over1,300youngpeopleperweeknow activelyengagedinvariousprograms andactivities.Furthermore,thanksto Jack'svisionandstrategicinitiatives,the YouthZonehasbecomeafocalpointfor economicdevelopment,helpingitto secureover£3millioninfundingfromthe YouthInvestmentFundforanewyouth hubwhichwillsupportgettingyoung peopleintoemployment.

Hisdedicationandvisionaryleadershiphave beeninstrumentalindrivingpositivechange andsupportingthousandsofyoungpeoplein BlackburnwithDarwen.

WhilstJacknowhandsovertheroleofChair toWayneWild,weareverypleasedthathe willcontinueasaTrusteefortheforeseeable future;asweembarkonthisnewchapter,we areverythankfultoJackforsettingthestage foraveryexcitingjourneyahead.

Weareverythankfulforallthesupportlocal businessesgiveininvestinginthenext generationofyoungpeople

Weareexcitedtoannouncethatatthis 'SupperClub',ourChairmanWayneWildwill hostaQ&AwithRtHonJackStraw.Theevent willprovideguestswithachancetoaskJack directlyabouthislifeinpolitics,gaining insightsintotheheartofgovernmentandthe challengesofdecision-making.

ThisinvitationisforPatronsandspecialguests only.

Formoreinformation,pleasecontact melanie.thomas@blackburnyz.org

BLACKBURN&DARWENYOUTHZONEFIRSTSUPPERCLUBOF

2024AT BLACKBURNROVERSFOOTBALLCLUB

Update on multimillion-pound investment for Darwen town centre

There’sahugeamountofnewinvestment plannedforDarwentowncentre

Thisincludesmorethan£20mforDarwen Market,thelibraryandtheatreandDarwen YouthCentre.

Youth Election 2024 –

Three new Youth MPs selected

Morethan6,000youngpeopletookpart inthisyear’sBlackburnwithDarwen YouthElectiontoselectanewYouthMPto representthevoicesofyoungpeople acrosstheborough.

READMOREHERE READMOREHERE

Akbar’s officially opens in Blackburn’s £50m Cultural Quarter

Formonths,contractorshavebeenbusy transformingtheformerBlakey’sbuilding intosomethingtrulyspectacular. Somethingunlikewe’veeverseenbefore inourtowncentres

@BDYouthzone

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