GENERATION AI-LONE: 38% OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN NORTH WEST TURN TO AI FOR SUPPORT, COMPANY OR ADVICE
Youth charity Empower Youth Zones part of the OnSide Network, warns that growing digital dependence and lack of real-life social spaces is driving loneliness and disconnection in young people — as new research published today highlights that 38% of young people in the North West are turning to AI for advice, support or company. OnSide’s Generation Isolation 2025 is the largest annual study of its kind into the way 11–18-year-olds spend their […]
Thousands of lives transformed as HideOut celebrates fifth birthday
HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton, part of the national OnSideNetwork of Youth Zones, is celebrating five years of transforming young lives in Manchester. Since opening its doors in September 2020 against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, HideOut has supported more than 10,000 young people and welcomed 200,000 visits, becoming a lifeline for the local community. It was established to provide somewhere safe to go, something positive to […]
Reflecting on Five Years: The Impact of COVID-19 and the Role of HideOut Youth Zone
23rd March 2025 marks five years since the first COVID-19 lockdown, an anniversary that also coincides with HideOut Youth Zone receiving the keys to its building. In 2024, we collaborated with the Science and Industry Museum to produce a video which highlighted young people’s reflections on the pandemic and their hopes for the future. Led […]
Hobbycraft renews patronage with Empower Youth Zones
Hobbycraft extends their support for Empower Youth Zones with patronage renewal agreement. The largest arts and crafts retailer in the UK, Hobbycraft, have committed to an additional three years of patronage to Empower Youth Zones. Having proudly been part of the Founder Patron campaign since 2019, Hobbycraft have consistently supported our art department with essential […]
Generation Isolation: The North West’s Young People Want To Get Off Phones But Need Real-Life Alternatives To Kick The Habit
Youth charity OnSide’s Generation Isolation, the largest study of its type into the way 11–18-year-olds spend their free time, today reveals that young people want to reduce the amount of time they spend on their phones – but simply don’t know how to break the habit. The new report, based on a survey of 5,213 […]
New street art mural arrives at HideOut
A new mural inspired by the local area displayed at HideOut Youth Zone HideOut Youth Zone has become the latest site to feature a hand-painted mural as part of Manchester’s ‘street art trail.’ The artwork, designed and produced by artist Richard Preston with support from HideOut members, reflects the rich history of Belle Vue and […]
HideOut attends Belle Vue Speedway race event!
HideOut members and partners enjoy a unique evening at the Speedway. The Belle Vue National Speedway Stadium welcomed HideOut representatives and supporters this week to watch Belle Vue Aces battle it out against Ipswich Witches for a unique evening of entertainment, networking and high-octane action! For many attendees, this was their first encounter with the […]
Supporting the next generation of the workforce
Empower Youth Zones appoints two apprentices to support the future growth of the organisation. In October 2023, Empower Youth Zones appointed two new apprentices to join the Communications Team to support of the growth of the organisaiton. The two apprentices will support Empower manage the communications of HideOut Youth Zone located in Gorton, East Manchester […]
Drill Music on Trial
HideOut Youth Zone’s Deputy Head of Youth Work and Partnerships speaks up on the role of the drill music in criminal youth cases. Deputy Head of Youth Work and Partnerships, Kerin Morris, headed to Liverpool on the 9th October to serve as a panellist at the Society of Labour Lawyers conference on “Drill Music and […]
Going global with JD Foundation
The JD Foundation launch their internal podcast to staff across the globe with help from host from HideOut Youth Zone. On Wednesday 22nd November the JD Foundation visited HideOut Youth Zone to premier the first episode of their brand-new internal podcast which was hosted by Senior Club member, Aliyah. Aliyah was invited to The JD […]