OurYoungPeople
Pages2,3,&4
OurPatrons
Pages5,&6
OurPeople
Pages8&9
OurPlace
Pages10,11&12 OurPartners
Our Young People
Blackburn & Darwe Hosts Half Term Fu
OnMay29th,Blackburn&Darwen YouthZonebuzzedwiththejoyoflocal juniorsatourHalfTermFun-Day. Tailoredforouryoungpeoplefrom BlackburnwithDarwen,theevent offeredarts,sports,andgames.Our youngpeopleenthusiastically engagedinpainting,teamsports,and puzzles,fosteringnewfriendships.
Additionally,theyenjoyedfreeentry andahotmeal,ensuringafulfilling dayforeveryone.Weareproudtooffer freememberships,freeentry,andfree hotmealsforalloursessions,ensuring continuoussupportandengagement forouryoungpeople
Tosignupasafreememberpleasevisit https://www.blackburnyz.org/becomea-member/andusethecode FREEBYZ2024
Free DACA Football Sessions
As the Euros captivate football fans everywhere, DarwenJuniorsarechannellingtheirfootballspirits with our football sessions over at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy football pitch. We have sessions for our free DACA football session every Tuesday during our Youth Session (13-18 yrs) from6:30-7:30pm,
Additionally, we also have sessions for ourJuniors (8-12yrs)everyWednesdayfrom7:00-8:00pm.
Makesureyoucomedownandjoininthefun!
Youth Hub Drop-ins
NeedhelpwithyourCV, interviewtechniques, personalstatement,or careeradvice?
OurYouthHubteamis heretosupportyou! Sayhelloandget support&guidance everyfirstMondayof themonthfrom6p8pmatourBlackburn site,startingMonday1st July
Don'tmissoutonthis fantasticopportunityto boostyourfuture!The journeystartshere...
‘Local Hero’ Funko Pop Exhibition
Weareexcitedtoannounce thatthereiscurrentlyaFunko Popgalleryexhibitionbeing heldatDarwenLibrary.
Thisexhibitionshowcasesthe hardworkofouryoungpeople whohavebeendiligently workingonaFunkoPopproject centredaround'LocalHeroes'.
Theexhibitionisnowopento thepublicatDarwenLibrary andweencourageeveryone tocomeandvisitifyouhaven't hadtheopportunitytodoso already!
The
Six Town League Captains Unite for Charity Golf Day to Support Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone
On September 20th, the esteemed Captains from six local golf clubs will unite to host a Charity Golf Day at Clitheroe Golf Club. The eventaimstoraisevitalfundsforBlackburn& Darwen Youth Zone’s innovative Next Level Sportinitiative.
This year, the Club Captains from Clitheroe, Pleasington, Blackburn, Wilpshire, Darwen, and Accrington golf clubs have joined forces to champion the Blackburn & Darwen Next Level Golf initiative. Inspired by a tour of the impressiveYouthZonefacilityinBlackburn,the local golf clubs have committed to providing young people with the opportunity to experiencegolf.
Thecollaborativeefforthasyieldedremarkable results. Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone now hasamembershipofover5,000youngpeople, many of whom are eager to explore the world ofgolf.
ur andRossleeConstructionforgenerouslydona are making by scratch by our MakerZone gro meanstheworldtousandmakesourprojectp
Colin Mustoe MBE honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, has presented Colin Mustoe MBE with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the office furniture sector of theBritishfurnishingindustry.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annuallytoaleaderwhohasdevotedtheirlife to the furtherment of the furnishing industry andleftanindeliblemarkonthetrade.
Colin was presented the award by the Rt Hon theLordMayor,HonoraryLiveryman,Alderman ProfessorMichaelMainelli,andBrianAhern,the newMasterofTheFurnitureMakers’Company, atMansionHouse,LondononMonday13thMay 2024.
SUPER-CHEF DAN TO HOST EXCLUSIVE EVENT FOR
BLACKBURN
& DARWEN YOUTH ZONE PATRON NETWORK
East Lancs’ most exciting new venue to launch by bringing the Blackburn & Darwen Patron networktogether
Chef Dan Jolley is providing a sneak preview of hisexcitingapproachtofinediningwithanevent exclusive for the Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron network at his new venture: CDJ Riverside inDarwen
Danworkedataseriesoftop-flightrestaurantsin LondonandParisbeforereturningtohisrootsvia Liverpool FC. Dan’s love of football led him to becomeaprivatechefspecialisingincateringfor a string of Premier League footballers: including MoSalah,MasonMountandMarcusRashford.His new venue is just a goal kick away from his belovedEwoodPark
Aheadofthelaunchnightlaterthismonth,Danis hosting an event for local business leaders who arePatronsofBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone,a local charity part-funded by the town’s business community.Bookyourreservationtoday!
Our Partners
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone raises funds with their First Annual Boxing Event in Partnership with Technique ABC hosted at King Georges Hall
Blackburn&DarwenYouthZone,in collaborationwithTechniqueABC,proudly hostedtheirfirstannualfundraisingboxing eventatKingGeorge’sHallon17thMay.
Theevent,attendedbyover450enthusiastic supporters,aimedtoraisefundsforthe YouthZone’s‘NextLevelSport’initiativeand showcasetheremarkabletalentofyoung peopleparticipatingintheprogramme
TheatmosphereatKingGeorge’sHallwas electricasattendeeswitnessedthrilling boxingmatchesfeaturingyoungathletes fromtheYouthZone.WayneWild,Chairman ofBlackburn&DarwenYouthZone, welcomedtheattendeesandexplainedthe importanceofNextLevelSportforyoung people.Theeventhighlightedtheskill, dedication,andpotentialoftheseboxers, providingthemwithaplatformtoshineand inspiretheaudiencewiththeirperformances.
The‘NextLevelSport’initiativeisavisionary programdesignedtoenableyoungpeople toleadhealthier,moreprosperouslives throughthepowerofsportsandphysical activity.
Byfocusingonphysicalliteracy,fun,and enjoyment,theprogramaimstoengage around4,000youngpeopleannually It strivestoleveltheplayingfield,create pathwaysintopositiveactivities,and addresshealthinequalitiesaffectingthe mostdisadvantagedyouthinthe community.
ShaunLiterland,fromTechniqueABC,said:
“Wearereallyproudofwhatwecanachieve throughthepowerofsportsatBlackburn& DarwenYouthZone.Amongitsmany successstoriesisAaron,ayoungboxerwho, throughthesupportandmotivationfrom YouthZonestaffandcoaches,hasrisen fromnovicetonationalandinternational championandrecentlyearnedaspoton TeamGB.” READMOREHERE
Our People
Wayne Wild, Chairman of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, Awarded MBE
Wayne Wild, the esteemed Chairman of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, has been awardedtheprestigiousMemberoftheOrderoftheBritishEmpire(MBE)intheKings’s BirthdayHonoursList.ThisaccoladerecognisesMr.Wild’sservicestoYoungPeopleand tothecommunitiesofDarwen.
Wayne Wild’s journey is a testament to his resilience and dedication. Born and raised as the eldest of five siblings in Shadsworth, Blackburn, Wayne witnessed the gradual decline of his once-prosperous hometown In 2005, he joined WEC, a small local engineering firm Wayne’sleadershipasCommercialDirectorwaspivotaldespiteincreasingunemployment rates over the following decade. He drove the company’s growth from £10 million in sales with 135 staff to £100 million with 1,000 staff by the time he left in December 2020. Today, WECstandsasanationalgroupof19companies.
Wayne’s commitment to community development was evident throughout his tenure at WEC.HefoundedFairQuid,anot-for-profitfinancialservicesorganisationsupportinglocal people
HannahAllen,CEOofBlackburnYouthZone,commented:“WayneWild’sdedicationtoour community and young people is exceptional. His visionary leadership and tireless efforts have continued to strengthen and grow the reach and impact of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone providing vital services to thousands of young individuals. This MBE is a welldeservedrecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributiontoourboroughanditsfuture.”
Wayne’s boundless energy and determination have secured £3million for the Youth Investment Fund, leading to the construction of a new World of Work Centre in Blackburn and, in partnership with the council secured a further £3million investment to transform KnottStastate-of-the-artfacilitydedicatedtothe10,000youngpeopleofDarwen. UponreceivingnewsoftheMBEhonour,WayneWildexpressedhisgratitude:“Iamdeeply honouredandhumbledtoreceivethisrecognition TheworkwedoatBlackburn&Darwen Youth Zone is truly a team effort, and this award is a testament to the hard work and dedicationofourincredibletrustees,boardvolunteers,andpatrons.Ouryoungpeopleare thefuture,anditisourprivilegetohelpthemrealisetheirfullpotential.”
Hannah Allen, CEO of Blackburn Youth Zone, commented: “Wayne Wild’s dedication to our community and young people is exceptional His visionary leadership and tireless efforts have continued to strengthen and grow the reach and impact of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone providing vital services to thousands of young individuals. This MBE is awell-deservedrecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributiontoourboroughanditsfuture.”
Mapping Out Success for the New Quarter
Ourteamrecentlyhadaproductiveandfun-filledplanningawaydayinpreparationfor ourSummerHolidayClubandtheupcomingquarter.Webeganthedaywithstrategic discussions,mappingoutengagingactivitiesandkeymilestonestoensureafantastic experienceforallparticipants
Followingtheplanningsessions,weenjoyedteam-buildinggamesintheparkand concludedthedaywithacreativepotterypaintingsession,resultinginuniqueand colourfulpieces.Energisedandunited,wearepreparedtodeliveranunforgettable SummerHolidayClubandachieveourgoalsforthenextquarter!
£3.1m project to upgrade Blackburn Youth Zone under way
A major £3.1 million project to transform and expand the Blackburn Youth Zone hasgotunderwayinthetowncentre.
The Youth Zone is undergoing a huge refurbishment to improve and grow its servicestoyoungpeopleinthetown
The historic Fusebox facility, which is located within the building, is also being redeveloped.
The Fusebox is located in a historic building in Jubilee Street, which began life as the town’s Gas Light Company in 1818, adding a Telephone Exchange in 1880 and electricitygeneratorsin1895.
The aim is to preserve the heritage for future generations as an inspiration to youngpeople
Blackburn Youth Zone’s chief executive, Hannah Allen, said: “The impressive building is a historical asset to the town and we are thankful to the Youth nvestment Fund for enabling us to transform the space that brought electricity to Blackburn into our very own worldofworkcentre
“We provide young people with somewhere to go, something to do and someonetotalkto.
"Our founding principle is starting where young people are, going where young peopletakeus”
The charity is building a new employment andskillshubintheFuseboxbuilding. Alongside this, the Youth Zone entrance area is being transformed into a 'multipurpose outdoor meeting space ' Other additions and improvements are a wet arts room, a training kitchen and a revampedgamingzone.
Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone awarded £399,157 to support local young people’s emotional health and wellbeing
ThankstotheNationalLotteryReachingCommunitiesFund,Blackburn&DarwenYouth Zone will be increasing the support it gives local young people with their emotional healthandwellbeing–thankstoagrantof£399,157!
The Reaching Communities fund aims to bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities It also aims to help more people reach their full potentialbysupportingthemattheearlieststage
Recent research released by the charity OnSide highlights why this sort of support is so critical for young people. Generation Isolation in partnership with YouGov highlighted that 49%ofyoungpeopleacrosstheNorthWestregionreporthighorveryhighlevelsofanxiety. In addition 68% of young people are concerned about the cost of living, and many are living isolated lives with 51% spending most of their free time at home and 78% spending mostoftheirfreetimeonscreens
Thisispartofanincredible£122millionawardedoverthelastthreemonthsbytheNational Lotterytoover2,500charitiesandcommunitygroupsinEngland.
Today’s funding announcement means Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone will be able to build on it’s support of young people’s mental health at what is a challenging time for youngpeople
TheReachingCommunitiesfundwillprovide£399,157overthenextfouryears,enablingthe Youth Zone to enhance its emotional health and wellbeing service It will also fund the developmentofanewdiversityemotionalhealthandwellbeing‘toolkit’,whichwillbemade availablenationallyandtoalllocalpartners.
The funding will enable Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone and their partners to receive annualmentalhealth1staidtrainingtoensurethatthesectorlearnsandgrowstogetherto benefitlocalyoungpeople
Tell us: If you could invest money in Darwen what would you do and why?
Blackburn with Darwen Council is working alongsideDecoPubliqueandthenewDarwen Long Term Plan Board to engage with residents and members of the local community–togettoknowwhatyouthink.
READMOREHERE
Plans for new Skills and Cyber Campus in Blackburn revealed
The Making Rooms awarded over £50k to tackle e-waste and help people get online
Blackburn’s The Making Rooms is celebrating after being awarded a share of £500,000 to help tackle electronic waste and help communitiesinneedgetonline
New plans have been revealed for a Skills and Cyber Campus of national significance inBlackburn.
Celebrating 150 years of Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery
As Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery celebrates its 150th anniversary, we take a look at how the magnificent wrought iron gatescametoopenfortheveryfirsttimeon June11th1874
