Wednesday 6th November saw funders and supporters of East Manchester’s new HideOut Youth Zone gather to see the progress on-site of the £6.6million facility.
Located on Hyde Road in East Manchester, HideOut Youth Zone is a brand-new charity set to inspire Manchester’s young people to lead healthier, happier, more aspirational lives through quality activities and youth work.
The charity’s supporters were invited to see the progress on-site and enjoy a guided tour inside the Youth Zone. The event provided them with the opportunity to see the size and scale of the offer, which will be available to thousands of young people from across Manchester next year.
Guests were welcomed on-site by the charity’s Chair, Joanne Whittaker before hearing from local businessman Fred Done, who donated £6million towards the charity’s capital costs.
Set to open in Spring 2020, HideOut Youth Zone will provide young people aged 8- 19 (and 25 for those with additional needs), with a safe and inspiring place to enjoy over 20 activities per night at a cost of £5 per year and only 50p per visit.
HideOut will include an indoor climbing wall, 3G kick pitch, sports hall, training kitchen, martial arts studio, fully equipped gym, dance and drama studio, health and well-being room, skate park, enterprise and employability suite and much more.
At the end of the guided tour, guests heard from James Plant, a member of HideOut’s young people’s development group, who thanked them for supporting the Youth Zone and emphasised the incredible difference the charity will make to the lives of thousands of local young people.
HideOut Youth Zone is being delivered in partnership with OnSide Youth Zones, Manchester City Council and the local business community.
The Youth Zone’s £6.6million capital costs were joint funded by local businessman Fred Done and Manchester City Council.
The charity’s £1.3 million annual running costs will be supported by Manchester City Council and the charity’s Founder Patrons, a family of local businesses and philanthropists who are united by their aims to support local young people and see Manchester flourish.
The charity is seeking further support from organisations who share its aim to provide Manchester’s young people with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.
HideOut will become part of the OnSide Youth Zones network which currently welcomes over 50,000 young people per year to 13 Youth Zones across the country in; Bolton, Carlisle, Manchester, Blackburn, Oldham, Wigan, Wolverhampton, Wirral, Chorley, Warrington, Barking & Dagenham, Barnet and Croydon.
Adam Farricker, Chief Executive of HideOut Youth Zone said: “A huge thank you to all of HideOut’s supporters for believing in this charity, and for having the vision and determination to make it happen for Manchester’s young people. Their generous support will make a huge difference to the lives of young people and the wider community in East Manchester.
“By this time next year, the Youth Zone will be bursting with happy, enthused young people making positive use of their leisure time. If you are interested in supporting young people to lead healthier, happier, more aspirational lives then please get in touch to discover ways in which we could work together.”
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Schools, Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council said: “It’s fantastic to see East Manchester’s new state-of-the-art Youth Zone well on the way to completion. This safe and inspiring place will make a tremendous difference to the lives of thousands of young people for generations to come.”
