‘Green’ light for new Youth Zone Darwen patron

By Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone

24 May 2023

CLP_2759.JPG.jpg

Just weeks after smashing the £500,000 fundraising mark, Youth Zone Darwen is now celebrating its 16th new patron – ACG Renewables.

Newly launched, the Solar Panel PV business is building on the success of its sister firm, Clitheroe-based Hadgraft Electricals.

ACG Renewables provides green solutions for businesses looking to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint and the firm is now looking forward to supporting young people through the Youth Zone Darwen patronage.

ACG director, Chris Shaw said: “We’re passionate about supporting our local community and other local businesses and Youth Zone Darwen is such a great initiative which does both.

“I was born in Darwen, and no matter where I went on to live, my Grandad would always tell me: ‘Never forget lad, you’re a Darrener’ – it was a nice, ongoing joke between us.

“I met with Youth Zone Trustee Wayne Wild, and he told me all about the amazing work they are doing there, and when I went to visit to see for myself, I was blown away and really wanted to help.

“We’re proud to join the patrons and partners who are already supporting Youth Zone Darwen and look forward to the difference we can help make too.”

Following the success of a temporary scheme during the Covid pandemic, a fundraising drive was launched in January 2022 to raise £250,000 to keep the doors of Youth Zone Darwen open.

That initial target was smashed within the first six months – paving the way for extended opening hours too – covering seven days a week.

Since then, a further £250,000 has been raised – ensuring the vital youth services will continue well into 2024 and hopefully beyond.

Youth Zone Darwen trustee and chair of the Darwen Town Deal, Wayne Wild said: “It’s incredible to see the list of Youth Zone Darwen patrons grow-and-grow and I’d like to thank ACG Renewables for their support.

“It’s been fantastic to see the business community really come together to do something worthwhile for the town and with Youth Zone Darwen they are all helping make a difference to young people’s lives. Without them, it would sadly have to close.

“Youth Zone Darwen offers a vital lifeline to many and we’re determined it’ll continue to go from strength-to-strength. We will keep working hard to raise the money needed to keep the doors open and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone already supporting us and those involved.”

Last year, more than 700 young people signed up as Youth Zone Darwen members – with more than 14,000 visits.

More than 3,000 free hot meals were also been provided to local young people to alleviate some of the hardship their families face during this cost of living crisis.

And, the Youth Employability Hub, operating from the Youth Zone Darwen base at Meeting Places in the town centre, has also supported more than 50 young people into employment since the initiative launched.

The charity, which welcomes children and young people aged eight to 19, also delivers sessions at Junction4 Skatepark, Darwen FC, Darwen Leisure Centre as well as in the many public open spaces, parks and multi-use games areas across the Town.

You can find out more about the charity and the sessions it runs at: www.blackburnyz.org

The Youth Zone Darwen Patrons are:

  • Herbert Parkinson Ltd
  • Multevo Ltd
  • Watson Ramsbottom Ltd
  • SUEZ Recycling & Recovery Ltd
  • WEC Group
  • J&A Kay Ltd
  • Crown Paints
  • Brookhouse Aerospace Ltd
  • Kay Group
  • Vampire Vape
  • Darwen Bars and Leisure Ltd
  • S Murphy Ltd
  • Liberty Flights Ltd
  • The Cardboard Box Company
  • Symclean Industrial Ltd
  • ACG Renewables

To find out more about becoming a Patron, please email: [email protected]

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin