Mahdlo Youth Zone Annual Review 2018-19

As another year passes in Mahdlo’s history, I would love to be able to share with you all the stories of hard work, dedication, challenge and opportunity. This year’s annual review is a special celebration of young people and their voices. Our story this year isn’t about stats and facts (which I can assure you are impressive), it’s an immersive experience that combines personal storytelling and powerful poetic imagery. We truly hope you enjoy it!

Mike Doran - Chief Executive

If you see a QR Code, give it a scan with your smartphone camera or QR Code reader and watch some of the inspirational contributions come further to life.

Mahdlo is a safe haven where young people meet as equals, where they can explore their individuality and freely express themselves without fear of judgement or negativity. We have not created the Mahdlo of today, our young people have done this very successfully, but it is a privilege to play a part in the future they are carving out for themselves. Looking forwards, we’re incredibly excited about the opening of our new purpose-built creative venue next year. With a vast array of amazing new talent, opportunities and experiences on offer, I for one, cannot wait to see the emergence of the future star’s that Mahdlo has waiting in the wings.

Sir Norman Stoller CBE KStJ DL - President

DEFINING OUR SPACE

Blood orange, coating my taste buds

With the taste of fruity zesty juiciness

Indigo causes my conscience

To leave my body and float

To the silence of the clouds

In heaven

Aqua blue possesses my body

With the coldness

Of the peaceful Zen sea

Turquoise softly floats onto the tongue

Bitterness burning the skin

Violet makes me confident Powerful Anon

THEBETWEENSPACEUS

CREATIVE DEMOCRACY

THEBETWEENSPACEUS

I can’t believe where I am now, Don’t know when, don’t know how I just know I’m in a better place, When I look in the mirror I like my face. There are always obstacles along the way, but each are removing every day. They try to destroy me with horrible words, I can stand tall now higher than birds. This is me, this is who I am Charlie Young, a fine young man. Being different from the rest. It is like a huge exam test. I knew this when I was seven. At one point, I wanted to go to heaven. At the lowest times it can be stressful, However in the end it’s all blissful, The worst thing was thinking what people thought, That stopped me going to school to be taught. There is always going to be bumps along the way, the body I’m in isn’t here to stay. Who knows what the future holds but in my mind I’m a man when I’m old.

Charlie Adams

CREATIVEDEMOCRACY

Save The Earth Or Your IPhone Storage

From Facebook to Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, from #iwokeuplikedis what filter do I use?

From getting loads of likes to getting heap loads of hate, from Snapchat games like truth or dare X if you would date, from people causing arguments that turn into huge fights from tryna get the perfect pic, gotta have the light, from #goldenhour to #justtookashower, from taking down an instagram pic, because it only got 12 likes, from swiping left on tinder, what’s your ideal type?

From scrolling down my Facebook feed liking all the cheesy memes, from people using metal straws, and trying to save our ocean floors, from trying out new hair dos seeing which ones your style, from people disrespecting what gender you may like, from judging what someone looks like on the outside, from not knowing their story and how they feel inside, from focusing on politics and if were in or out, from homeless people begging because they’re eating nowt, from people sleeping on the floor, from children wanting more and more, from people only living till there thirty, do we not care that our earth is dirty?

Cara, 14

EXPRESSION: ATYPICAL AND UNORTHODOX

Superhero

I don’t need to go to the movies

To find a protagonist that can help me through this

I can just drop you a text or give you a call

And then you’ll come running to break my fall Chorus

And you swoop in like my superhero

Ready to come and save me

It’s us against the world

And no-one makes me smile like my superhero

Cos when you’re by side we can conquer the world

I don’t need you to flyor travel through time

Cos your laughs so infectious and your hearts so kind

And a cape or a mask is not necessary

Cos just the way you are is perfect to me

Chorus

And when the bad guys try to take me away

I know my superhero will be there to save the day

And when the bad guys try to take me away

I know my superhero will be there to save the day

And when I’m presented with my Kryptonite

I know my superhero will make sure I’m alright

And when I’m presented with my Kryptonite

I know my superhero will make sure I’m alright

Chorus

And when the bad guys try to take me away

I know my superhero will be there to save the day

And when I’m presented with my Kryptonite

I know my superhero will make sure I’m alright

PRIDE FLAG BY MAHDLO SENIORS

SUPERHERO BY MILLY AND CARA

IN THER yEAR EVIEW

2018-2019 IN NUMBERS:

4,807 active members during 12 month period

59,959 visits by young people across all sessions

1,182 average visits per week

4,162 Members (as of 31st March 2019)

Breakdown:

FINANCIAL INFO 2018-2019

9,281 hours donated by volunteers, mentors and young leaders

2,435 visits to holiday club

51,976 attendances took part in exercise based activities (73% active members) 47 young people that completed the Get a Job course

92,975

DEFICIT FOR THE YEAR (69,532)

THE yEAR IN REVIEW

2018-2019 IN NUMBERS:

4,807 active members during 12 month period

59,959 visits by young people across all sessions

1,182 average visits per week

4,162

Members (as of 31st March 2019)

Breakdown:

9,281 hours donated by volunteers, mentors and young leaders

2,435 visits to holiday club

51,976 attendances took part in exercise based activities (73% active members) 47 young people that completed the Get a Job course

FINANCIAL INFO 2018-2019

ATHANKSPECIALYOU

Without the overwhelming generosity from our supporters, we wouldn’t be able to provide this safe platform for our young people to express themselves so beautifully.

CORE FUNDER

Oldham Council

FOUNDING PATRON

The Stoller Charitable Trust

PREMIER PATRON

Artko

David & Janelle Barker

The Challenge Network

Children in Need

The Foyle Foundation

Greengate Metal Components

Hill Panel Products Ltd

JW Lees

The National Lottery Community Fund

OMC Motor Group

Frank & Judith Rothwell

Team Spirit

Widdop & Co

PATRON

Peter & Patricia Casey

Grants for the Arts (Arts Council)

The Home Office

Swans Travel Ltd

Youth Aspiration Fund

SUPPORTER

Duncan & Barbara Arthurs

Barclays

Crane Payment Innovations

J Greenwood Builders

Rooftop Properties

FRIEND

Anonymous Donor

ANSA Elevators

Bedspace Resource Ltd

David Bellis

Breakey & Nuttall

Peter Bryant

Matt Enright

Terry Flanagan

GM High Sheriff Police Trust

In memory of Steve Ingham

JD Williams

Mayor’s Appeal Fund

O’Donnell Solicitors

Oldham Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic

Plaqsa Limited

Positive Steps

Anthony & Margaret Preston

Jeanette Quinn

Safeguard Group

Tesco Bags of Help

The Treeside Trust

Wilds of Oldham

As I embark on my new journey with Mahdlo as Chairman, I am reminded of our reason for being; to provide the tools, support and opportunity for Oldham’s young people to be the best they can be. The honest and brave contributions from our members in this Annual Review, are a true reflection of what Mahdlo means to young people. I hope you come away from reading this as inspired as we feel on a daily basis by all the young people involved at the Youth Zone.

Chris Wareing - Chairman