New Youth Zone coming to Salford this Summer

Set to open its doors this Summer, Salford Youth Zone (SYZ), part of the EMPOWER network, will provide thousands of young people with somewhere safe to go, something positive to do and someone trusted to talk to.

What to expect

SYZ is a purpose-built Youth Zone in Salford – open seven-days-a-week, for young people aged 8-19, and up to 25 for those with an additional need or disability. The state-of-the-art facility will offer more than 20 activities every session for just 50p per visit, including rock climbing, boxing, karaoke, cooking, gaming and much more. Members will also have access to a free hot meal each time they attend, as part of SYZ’s dedication to supporting young people in the Salford area and making a meaningful impact in the community. Over the last few months, SYZ has held exclusive site tours for patrons, partners and community supporters to explore the space and celebrate the progress it has made so far. Located adjacent to Belverdere Road and Broadwalk in Pendleton, SYZ will have the capacity to accommodate up to 150 young people per night. This follows the success of HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton, which has attracted over 8,000 members since it opened in 2020.

The need for SYZ in Salford

SYZ aims to help young people in Salford lead happy, safe and successful lives. Recent research published by national youth charity OnSide highlighted the importance of Youth Zones for young people, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis. The findings revealed that 24% of 11–18-year-olds in the North West spend most of their free time on their smartphone. A striking 46% of the North West’s young people would like to break the habit but 41% don’t know how. SYZ aims to fill this gap by offering meaningful opportunities and experiences open to all local young people. This will help them meet new people and give them access to Youth Workers who can support them. It also aims to help young people in the area realise their potential and develop new skills. Beyond recreational activities, SYZ will also help young people develop life skills such as financial literacy, work experience and employment readiness.

Membership for SYZ will open for sign-up on Thursday 27 March! Head to our website to find out more information: www.salfordyouthzone.org