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The Bank of New York Mellon makes generous donation to the delivery of Future Skills Project.

Empower Youth Zones is proud to announce that it has received a donation gifted by The Bank of New York Mellon to one of its Youth Zone sites: HideOut Youth Zone.

HideOut’s Future Skills Project will support young people (aged 13-19 and up to 25 with additional needs) to overcome barriers to employment for those who face the most significant challenges.

On 12th December 2023, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported that the youth unemployment rate stood at 12.7% in August to October 2023, compared to 12.3% January to March 2020.

ONS also shared that youth unemployment in the UK had risen on the previous quarter in August to October 2023, while youth employment fell by 33,000. The number of young people who were economically inactive increased.

HideOut Youth Zone currently offers various Employability and Enterprise support for any young people who need help getting into employment, education or training. This includes apprenticeships, jobs, work experience, employability courses and enterprise projects.

Inside HideOut’s enterprise suite, young people are encouraged to dream big and develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Director of Communications and Fundraising at Empower Youth Zone, Patti Holmes, said:

“We know so many young people were significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic in terms of their learning, development and their future outlook, and this has since been amplified once again by the current cost-of-living crisis.

But our Youth Zone’s provide young people with the support they need to overcome any barriers they may face and give them hope for their futures. We give young people the opportunity to see what they’ve got and where it could take them, and thanks to The Bank of New York Mellon we can ensure more young people can think of their future with the skills they need to succeed.”

BNY Mellon Head of Global Liquidity Operations, Rob McClenaghan-Harrop, who volunteered this year, shared some feedback on his experience:

“I was fortunate enough to spend a day at HideOut Youth Zone in January and I was immediately struck by the incredible facilities available for the young people from a gym, dance studio, recording studio and even a climbing wall. But I was also blown away by the young people – they were so keen to learn, to hear about our jobs, our business, and to get involved. Whether it was making toasties, roller skating or even practising TikTok dances, they were so engaged. I left reassured with the knowledge that HideOut is providing opportunities for these young people and giving them the confidence to shape their own futures. I got the impression that no young person is ever told that they can’t achieve what they want to achieve, and frankly, we need more of that. Thanks for having us.”

Founded in 1784, The Bank of New York Mellon is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City, with a significant presence in the city of Manchester. The bank provides investment management and investment services that help individuals and institutions to invest, conduct business and transact in markets all over the world

As well as funding towards the Future Skills Project, The Bank of New York kick started their corporate volunteering with HideOut in January, over our Magic New Year Holiday Club. We had four outstanding volunteers join our Delivery Team for the day and take part in various games, activities and challenges, which explored MOTIVATION, ASPIRATIONS, GOALS, IDOLS, CREATIVITY – exploring the MAGIC of you!

We are looking forward to having more volunteers in over our February Holiday Club and growing our partnership to explore more opportunities to work together.

Empower Youth Zones is the charity that oversees the creation, management and sustainability of Youth Zones in Manchester and Salford.

These include HideOut Youth Zone located in Gorton, East Manchester which opened in 2020 and Salford Youth Zone located in Pendleton, Salford which is due to open to young people in Spring 2025.

HideOut and Salford Youth Zones provide children and young people aged 8-19 and up to 25 for those with additional needs with somewhere safe to go, something position to do and someone trusted to talk to.