Youth Zone Darwen hits major funding milestone

By Tim Aldred

11 May 2023

Darwen Youth Zone raises £500,000

Youth Zone Darwen has secured its 15th patron, achieving £500,000 in donations since beginning its fundraising drive in January 2022.

The funds are used to provide high-quality activities, all through the week, for the young people of Darwen. 

The project began at the start of last year with an ambition of securing £250,000 of support from local organisations - a target which was achieved within six months.

With support from J&A Kay, Youth Zone Darwen has now doubled that initial goal.

David Kay, from Darwen-based J&A Kay, said: "Youth Zone Darwen is a brilliant idea and much needed in our town. It has helped literally hundreds of youngsters so far by offering them somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.

"This should be a basic right of all young people and we want to be involved every step of the way. After all, these will be our employees of the future and it makes good business sense to give them the best start in life."

During 2022, more than 700 young people signed up for membership of Youth Zone Darwen and since this time, the service has welcomed these young people during more than 14,000 visits.

Additionally, over 3,000 free hot meals have been provided to local young people to alleviate some of the hardship their families face during this cost of living crisis.

The Youth Employability Hub, operating from Meeting Places in the Town centre, has also supported over 50 young people into employment since the initiative was launched.

The charity additionally 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 (MUGAs), across the town.

Wayne Wild, chair of the Darwen Town Deal, was instrumental in establishing the Youth Zone. He said: "Youth Zone Darwen is helping change lives. It inspires youngsters to be the best versions of themselves and raises their aspirations above and beyond what they think is possible. 

"At the start of last year we set out to raise £250,000 to ensure the Youth Zone Darwen youth activities offer could gain a foothold in the Town. We achieved this but had the ambition to make our own Youth Zone a permanent feature of the Town.

"I am delighted to report that, with an incredible effort and commitment of the local business community, we have doubled the original investment enabling us to plan for 2024 and beyond."

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Inspired plc acquired by HGGC Inspired logo

Inspired plc acquired by HGGC

19 Aug 2025

2

Lancashire uniform provider acquired in £12.5m deal Trutex images

Lancashire uniform provider acquired in £12.5m deal

19 Aug 2025

3

Burnley aircraft firm sees profits soar Safran Nacelles

Burnley aircraft firm sees profits soar

19 Aug 2025

4

Lancashire marina bought by Aquavista Fettlers Wharf Marina

Lancashire marina bought by Aquavista

18 Aug 2025

5

Work starts on new business units at Enterprise Zone Danny Pinkus Cllr Mark Smith and Robert Pinkus at Phase Two Of Enterprise Court

Work starts on new business units at Enterprise Zone

15 Aug 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
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

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

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
Linkedin Cover.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Sep 2025 - 03 Sep 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Harewood House , Leeds, LS17 9LG

09:30 - 16:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

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 LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin