Senior members speak out on the impact of AI in ITV podcast
Research recently published in Onside’s 2025 Generation Isolation Report highlights growing numbers of young people aged between 11-18 are relying on AI chatbots for support, connection and guidance in their lives. Salford Youth Zone’s Senior members joined with ITV Granada Reports to share their own views on the findings for an episode of their From […]
Easter Holiday Club at Empower!
Earlier this month, we held our Easter Holiday Club at HideOut and Salford Youth Zone, welcoming members for a week of themed festive activities across the holiday period. The club offered a jam-packed, vibrant programme of activities, from high-energy bunny hop races to creative egg painting sessions, keeping young people active, engaged and inspired throughout […]
Our Story Is Being Told: Empower Featured in the See Youth Work Differently Campaign
At Empower, we have always believed that young people need somewhere safe to go, something positive to do, and someone trusted to talk to. That belief is not just a tagline, it is something we see come to life every single day in our Youth Zones. Now, thanks to a powerful new campaign from Youth Alliance Greater […]
AJ Bell Futures Foundation Confirms Support for EMPOWER Youth Zones as Newest Founder Patron
Award-winning youth work charity, EMPOWER Youth Zones (EMPOWER), welcomes Manchester-born investment platform AJ Bell’s charitable foundation as its latest Founder Patron. The AJ Bell Futures Foundation is a UK registered charity, established in 2023, to help people who have faced significant life challenges. With AJ Bell plc committed to contribute 0.5% of its profits before tax to local community […]
EMPOWER Youth Zones Welcome Hybrid Solutions Group as Latest Patron Donor
Hybrid Solutions Group confirms support for youth work charity EMPOWER as its newest Founder Patron. The Swinton-based engineering solutions company join a growing network of donors committed to helping EMPOWER provide young people across Manchester and Salford with somewhere safe to go, something positive to do and someone trusted to talk to. EMPOWER is already […]
“More organisations need to get involved because the challenges facing young people cannot be solved by one organization or government alone.” Lisa Hannah, Chief People and Communications Officer, Aldermore
Lisa Hannah, Chief People and Communications Officer at Aldermore and one of our brilliant patrons, shares why she is so passionate about supporting causes like ours and why it’s crucial for other businesses to get involved: “More organisations need to get involved because the challenges facing young people and communities cannot be solved by one organization or by the government […]
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 […]