OUR JOURNEY
Salford Youth Zone was first established in 2023 and opens its doors in June 2025
Salford Youth Zone is the second Youth Zone site from EMPOWER, the growing youth work charity committed to transforming the lives of young people across Greater Manchester.
Delivered in proud partnership with OnSide Youth Zones, Salford businessman Fred Done and Salford City Council, supported by a number of businesses and philanthropists, who have vested interest in providing opportunities for Manchester’s young people, this is properly funded, purpose-built youth provision.
From the beginning, young people have been at the heart of what we do. We worked closely with a group of young people from the local area, our Salford Young Person’s Development Group, to help shape a space for the city’s young people, created by its young people.
Working closely with agency LOVE. and architects Studio Power, our young people took the lead of several decisions for the Youth Zone, including choosing its name, logo and brand for what we now know as Salford Youth Zone (SYZ).
SYZ proudly puts Salford at its heart – a clear expression of pride from our young people and a bold statement about who this space is for. Over 1,000 school children had their say on the future name of their Youth Zone, with the official result revealed in an exclusive ceremony at Ordsall Hall.
Since the launch, the group has played a vital role in shaping Salford Youth Zone—contributing to the interior design, selecting activities, helping to recruit staff, and proudly representing the Youth Zone as ambassadors throughout the journey.
