Global investment bank GCA Altium becomes the latest Founder Patron supporter of Manchester’s HideOut Youth Zone, a brand-new charity which will provide thousands of young Mancunians with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.
Set to open in Gorton in 2020, the new OnSide Youth Zone will provide young people aged 8 to 19 and up to 25 for those with additional needs with access to over 20 activities 7 days a week, for just 50p per visit.
Currently under construction on Hyde Road, the £6.6million Youth Zone will include an indoor climbing wall, a four court sports hall, a fully equipped gym, a 3G kick pitch, a skate park, a dance and drama studio, a boxing gym, an arts and crafts studio and much more.
With Gorton North falling into the top 100 most deprived neighbourhood areas in England, the Youth Zone will make a huge difference in terms of support and opportunities for young people, allowing them to play and learn in a safe and inspiring environment.
GCA Altium is planning various activities to support OnSide, including a 5-a-side football tournament, which will be held at Goals Manchester on 17th October. Teams are still welcome to join and anyone who is interested should contact GCA Altium’s Manchester office for information.
Phil Adams, CEO of GCA Altium, said: “The whole team in Manchester is involved and deeply committed to supporting this life-changing project. We have various fundraising activities already planned, and the team is committed to giving back to the community. HideOut Youth Zone is based just a short distance from the GCA Altium office – we look forward to seeing first-hand the transformational difference this Youth Zone will make for the entire community.”
HideOut is the latest Youth Zone being delivered by national charity OnSide. The OnSide network currently welcomes over 45,000 young people across its 13 centres in Bolton, Carlisle, Oldham, Blackburn, Wigan, Manchester, Warrington, Wolverhampton, Wirral, Chorley, Barking & Dagenham, Barnet and Croydon.
Across the OnSide Youth Zone network there have been some incredible outcomes for young people: 75% of Youth Zone members feel more confident and prepared for the future; 85% completed the ‘get a job’ course and progressed into further education, employment or training; and 90% of local businesses feel that the Youth Zone has improved the quality of their local areas.
Joanne Whittaker, Chair of HideOut Youth Zone said: “We are extremely proud to welcome a global organisation to our family of founder patrons, a huge thank you to GCA Altium for supporting Manchester’s young people. Their donation will make an incredible difference to the lives of thousands of young people and will benefit the entire community for years to come.”
Fred Done, Capital and Revenue supporter of HideOut Youth Zone, said: “A huge thank you to GCA Altium for investing in Manchester’s young people. HideOut Youth Zone will be an inspiring place for young people from across the whole of Manchester to spend their leisure time. This state-of-the-art Youth Zone will provide thousands of young people with new opportunities and equip them with the skills they need to lead healthier, happier, more aspirational lives. We can’t achieve this without the support from organisations such as GCA Altium, who understand the importance of giving back to our communities.”
