July Monthly Update 2023

Our Young People

‘’Arts Mental Health Night" Sparks Awareness

OurYouthVoiceconsultationgroup members(aged13-18)decidedtodesign aprojectaimingtospreadawareness aroundteenagementalhealthissues. TheydesignedandthenrananArts MentalHealthNightfortherestofour Youthclub.Theyplannedandledsessions inrelaxation,createwritinganddrawing andrandiscussiongroupsonhowto connectwithourcommunitiestoimprove ourmentalhealth

Thiseventfeaturedlotsoffaband creativeactivitiesincludingself-careface masks,artcreationandquizzes.Therewas alsothechancetowinapamperhamper. Theicingonthecakewasabrilliant sessiondeliveredbytheEastLancashire ChildandAdolescentServices(ELCAS), whoblewusawaywiththeirknowledge andpracticaladvice

Young Voices Unite!

Our young people joined the Young Voices Unite Music project alongside 'We Are Noise' (our Darwen music partners) on a 6 week journey of discovery, exploring teenagers'deepestconcernsandfearsthroughmusic

Exploring a range of music genrés, they delved into topics such as overcoming financial hurdles, understanding substance misuse, promoting personal well-being, and tacklingbullying.

Their creative content then took centre stage at our Arts MentalHealthNight.

Clicktolistentotheirfinalpiece!

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone in the Community - Park Trip

Whodoesn'tlikealarkinthepark?We surprised37ofouryoungestmembers toadayatCorporationParkwhenthe weatherwassimplytoogoodtostay inside!

Theparkcamealivewiththeirlaughter andenergyaswerancricketand footballsessionsbeforeahealthyand nutritiouslunch.

Inthe'puddinghour'(thathourafter lunchwhenallyouwanttodoissit downandchill),wechattedabouthow wecouldkeepourselvessafeinparks andgardensaswellashownaturecan nurtureoursouls.

Full,tiredandhappy,wereturnedtoHQ tomeetparentsandguardianswith lotsoffunnystoriesandabitof knowledgeonstayingsafe Nottoo shabby!

Feedback you need to hear...

''IloveitwhenIseepeoplefromStreet Zone(DetachedandOutreach)when I'mplayingoutsidewithmymates They havereallyhelpedmeandmyfriends' families.Theyalsorunfunstreetgames justforusandalsogiveusfreefood parcelstotakehomeforourfamilies

ThankyouBlackburn&DarwenYouth Zoneforalwaysbeingthere Youareso caring.''-Ivy,Aged10

Our Patrons

Remembering Peter Street 1941 - 2023

We are blessed to be supported by many wonderful people at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, all completely invested in making a difference and inspiring the next generation

One such supporter, Peter, sadly passed away recently and we wish to pay tribute to him. Peter was the owner of The Cardboard Box Company and a Proud Patron and a very good friend to Youth Zone.

Our young people, Board and team would like to extend our sincere condolences to Linda, Laura, Charles, James and Peter’s many friends ��

a special thanks...

ThankyoutoWhalleyWineShopforhosting andsponsoringanexclusivewineandcheese tastingeveningforourPatronsonTuesday, 18thJuly!

ThankyoutoourGoldPatron,TotallyWicked, forsponsoringandhostingBlackburn& DarwenYouthZonePatronsthiseveningatthe StHelen’sVCatalanDragonsRugbyLeague.

If you’re interested in finding our more about becoming a Patron, please contact Mel Thomas Melanie.thomas@blackburnyz.org

Trevor Dawson Charity Golf Day

raises £7,000 for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone

TheannualTrevorDawsonCharityGolfDaywasbackfor2023raisingfundsforBlackburn andDarwenYouthZone

Twenty-oneteamsenjoyeduninterruptedsunshineatClitheroeGolfClubwiththecoursein excellentconditionprovidingagreatdayofgolf.Theoverall,andreturningwinnerswereK2 StorageSolutionswith94pointsfollowingacardplay-offwithThwaites Thirdplacewas takenbyHandelsbanken.

, Followingthegolf,drinkswereenjoyedonthepatiothendinner,theprizepresentationand raffle.Amagnificent£7,000wasraisedandWayneWild,formidabletrusteeofBlackburn& DarwenYouthZone,reiteratedtheimportanceofcontinuingtoraisefundsforthecharity.

Waynesaid:“WeappreciateTrevorDawsonraisingfundsonanannualbasisforBlackburn &DarwenYouthZone,andaregratefultoallthebusinesseswhocontributedtoraisingan incredible£7,000 Thisgeneroussupportisvitalincontinuingtochangethelivesofyoung peopleintheborough.Letusremembertheimportanceofongoingfundraisingwhichwill makesuchalastingimpact.Thankyoutoallwhoparticipatedandshowedtheirgenerosity."

CarolineJames,ManagingDirectorofTrevorDawson,commented:“Wearedelightedto supporttheBlackburn&DarwenYouthZoneagainthisyearand,witharecordnumberof teams,areabletodonateforthisworthycause,thehighestfigureraisedtodateof£7,000. Thankyoutoallwhoparticipatedandforyourgenerosityontheday,andalsotoMeland Waynefortheirsupport.”

TheTrevorDawsonCharityGolfDaywillreturnin2024

PAINT THE TOWN ORANGE

Areyoureadytojoinourexcitingandvibrantfundraisingcampaignto supportBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone?Howwouldyouliketocontribute andmakeapositiveimpactonthelivesofyoungpeopleinourcommunity? Weinviteyouto andhelpuscreateabrighter futurefortheyoungpeopleinourcommunity.

PainttheTownOrange

1STSEPTEMBER-30THnOVEMBER2023

Webelievethattogether,wecanmakeasignificantdifferenceinthelivesofyoungpeoplefacingthe challengesoftheCostofLivingCrisis ByparticipatinginPaintTheTownOrange,businesses,schools,and communitymembersnotonlycontributetoimprovingthelivesofyoungpeoplebutalsopromotecommunity cohesionandunity Together,wecandemonstrateourcollectivecommitmenttocreatingabrighterfuturefor ouryouth

£8million investment to transform the borough's youth facilities

facilitiesforyoungpeopleinour boroughissettobetransformedwi anincredible £8millioninvestment includingexpandingYouthZonece inbothofourmajortowns.

Securedthroughthegovernment’sY InvestmentFund thismoneywillalso newhubsforyoungstersdeveloped ShadsworthandAudleyandQueen's Park.

Itwillfundfournewmajorprojects:

▪ £33mtodoublethesizeofDarwenYouthCentreinKnottStreetbyrevampingtheexistingbuilding withanextrastorytoprovideanewwellbeingarea,creativeworkshopspace,recordingandDJstudio, gamingzoneandmulti-usespaces.Theoutdoorsportsfacilitieswillalsobeupgraded.

▪ £2.9mtoprovideBlackburn&DarwenYouthZonewithabrandnewemploymentandskillshubin theunusedneighbouringFuseBoxbuildingatourJubileeStreetcentre.

▪ £1mtotransformAudleyandQueen’sParkChildren’sCentreintoasevendays-a-weekyouthhub offeringaspecialistmentalhealth,employabilityandrehabilitationsupport

▪ £800,000torevamptheShadsworthhuboppositethelocalparkintoanewyouthcentreoffering refurbishedindoorandoutdoorspaces

CllrPhilRiley,leaderofBlackburnwithDarwenCouncil,said:“Thisisabrilliantoutcomeforour youngstersintheboroughandcomesonthebackofanincredibleamountofhardworkbythe councilandourpartners.

“Thisfundingwillseeouryouthfacilitiestransformed-supportingourmissiontoensureeverychild andyoungpersonhasopportunitiestofulfiltheirpotential"

ConservativegroupleaderCllrJohnSlatersaid:"Thisisobviouslyverywelcome "Itwillbehugeboostfortheborough'syoungpeople

"OnceagaintheConservativegovernmenthasputinvestmentworthmillionsofpoundsinto BlackburnwithDarwen."

BlackburnandDarwenYouthZoneChiefExecutive HannahAllensaid:“Wearedelightedtofinallybe refurbishingtheFuseBox;locatedtowardstherearofou YouthZoneonJubileeStreet.

Currentlyitisanunusedspacecoveringapproximately 3,500squaremetres

Initiallyopenedin1818asBlackburn'sfirstelectricitypowe station,thisareawillbecomeourEmploymentSkillsHub

Inthisdedicatedspace,wecanempoweryoungpeople andindustrytocometogethertoaddressidentifiedskills gaps.

TheFuseBoxisanimportantheritageprojectforthetow givingyoungpeoplethespaceandopportunitytofind theirspark”

Celebrating The Festival Of Making! - FamilY FUN DAY

Wearethrilledtosharethesuccessofour recentFamilyFunDay,whichwasdedicatedto thevibrantcelebrationofTheFestivalOf Making

Collaboratingwithourpartners,TheMaking Rooms,IMOCharityandfriendsfromour OnsideNetwork-InspireYouthZone(Chorley) andManchesterYouthZone,weproudlyhosted anunforgettableeventthatunitedmorethan 800membersfromourlocalcommunitiesand beyond.

ThedayconsistedofexcitingSTEAM-based activitiesfromhands-onworkshopsto interactivedisplays

Forthosewhocouldn'tmakeitandforthose whowanttorelivetheincrediblemoments, we 'reexcitedtoshareavideothatbeautifully capturestheessenceoftheday.

Our People

Training for Behaviour Management

Sets Stage for Exciting Summer Holiday Club!

InpreparationforourSummer HolidayClub,ourPlay/Youth Workersengagedin comprehensivebehaviour managementtraining.

Throughrole-playingexercisesour teamexplorednewtoolsand techniquestopromotepositive behaviourandtodealwith negativebehaviourwhenitoccurs.

BringontheHolidayClub!

New starters

EllieGage: AtBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone,wevalue ourteamimmenselyandarecommittedtocreatingan exceptionalworkingenvironment.Tofurtherthis,we've enlistedtheexpertiseofapeopleandculturespecialist, EllieGage,whohasover18yearsexperienceinthecharity sector(andatrophytobootformakingacharitythe SundayTimesBestCompanytoWorkFor!),Ellie'shereto leadourPeople&CultureProjectstartinginthismonth. SheisreadytoturningBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone intoanevenmoreamazingplacetowork!

SaminaTalaty:We'rethrilledtointroduceournewest additiontotheYouthHubTeam,SaminaTalaty,whois steppingintotheroleofHealthandWellbeing Coordinator.Saminahasapassionforsupportingour youngpeoplewhoaresomedistancefromthejobs marketintheirhealthandwellbeingjourney Shewill focusherearlymonthswithusinthegrowthofour mentoringprogramme.Saminabringsawealthof experience andisexcitedtojoinourwonderfulcharity

Withabackgroundworkingwithyoungpeoplewith diverseyouthneeds,Saminaispoisedtomakea contributioninthisvitalareaofourwork.

WelcometotheteamSamina!

Rediscovering Roots: Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone's History Unveiled

Did you know that the very ground beneath Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone was, over a hundred years ago, home to the town's first electricity generating station. In the place where electricity first came to and powered the town, our Youth Zone is now powering the community through the energy and creativity of young people.

Through the 'Exploring our Heritage' project, in collaboration with Uncultured Creatives, our young people are working to uncover the building's history Their insights will inspire the transformation of the Fuze Box, solidifying a connection between our rich past and dynamic present Follow their journey on our Social Media! @BDYouthZone

Energetic Youth Make Royal Lancashire Show Shine

The Royal Lancashire Show in Ribchester is a vibrant celebration of rural and agricultural life. The show hosts livestock, crafts, and local produce in taking centre stage Our young people volunteered to support the show and got stuck in to the jobs that most people would not want to do! e

They cracked on with litter picking right across the site for the entire day having been given he challenge by the organisers to keep the showground clean

This event wasn't just about local traditions. It showcased sustainability and highlighted the active role of young people can play in community initiatives. (Even the icky jobs!)

Go Ape Blackburn Unveils it’s new Thrilling Adventure

Holdontoyourhats,adventure enthusiasts.ThemuchanticipatedGoApeBlackburnat WittonParkisnowOPENand readytowelcomethrillseekers!

A group of our young adventurers were treated to a special moment as Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sylvia Liddle, officiated at the grand opening by ceremoniously cutting the ribbon.

This marks a significant addition to the Go Ape family, with Go Ape Blackburn being the 36th location in the 'family tree'

Notably, the Blackburn facility stands as the very first experience tailored for explorers under the age of 10

With two exciting new high-ropes courses designed specifically for younger adventurers, this promises to be an unforgettable experience for entire family.

For those itching to know more, dive into the complete Go Ape update by following the link: https://ow.ly/RB2u50Pi0Nm

To get a taste of the excitement and to plan your visit, explore the official Go Ape Blackburn website: https://ow.ly/ezac50Pi0Nl