May 2025, Manchester — Empower Youth Zone (EMPOWER), the youth work charity behind HideOut Youth Zone in East Manchester and the upcoming Salford Youth Zone (SYZ), has announced MediaCity as its latest patron donor ahead of SYZ’s July launch. MediaCity will be supporting the charity with an extensive volunteering and business support programme over the next four years as a Landsec Futures employability partner.
As a UK hub for the creative industries, MediaCity will work closely with SYZ and its partners to provide access into its creative spaces and businesses while helping facilitate ways into the industry which may have previously felt out of reach.
Support from MediaCity and the fund will also significantly aid the continued development of SYZ, situated adjacent to Belvedere Road and Broadwalk in Pendleton and will provide over 200 volunteering days each year. The Youth Zone recently opened free membership and is set to support thousands of young people in the city.
MediaCity’s £100,000 commitment over the next four years builds on Landsec’s strong track record of community investment.
Landsec, who have recently acquired full ownership of MediaCity, is committed to creating places that deliver lasting positive impact for both communities and the environment.
It joins the growing EMPOWER patron community, funding vital services that enable young people to break down barriers, unlock potential, and build brighter futures.
As part of its partnership, SYZ has also been named the Charity Partner for Stories – Brought to Life, a major new immersive art experience that launched on the 2nd of May in MediaCity. Created by FRAMELESS Creative in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, the experience brings to life iconic figures from British history and culture through world-class digital storytelling.
Martin Chown, MediaCity Managing Director said: “Salford is an important part of our journey, and deepening our roots here reflects our commitment to enriching the communities we’re part of. Partnering with EMPOWER will help us continue to drive forward a thriving creative community while supporting talented young people.
“MediaCity has become a cornerstone of Salford’s identity, helping the city attract leading businesses and driving investment into the city. It’s a bridge between Salford and the creative industries, and we want to ensure local people feel like a career in the creative industries is within their reach. EMPOWER’s arrival in Salford will make a material difference to young people and the wider community, so we’re proud to be supporting the team.”
Adam Farricker, CEO of Empower Youth Zones, said: “Our partnership with Landsec is another powerful step towards our mission to support young people across Greater Manchester. MediaCity sits at the heart of the city, and we want our young people to feel connected to its energy and community spirit. Young people are full of potential but often need the right support to overcome the barriers they face and truly believe in themself. Together, with the MediaCity team and Landsec, we’re working to ensure every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and move towards a better future.”
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Notes to Editors
Press contacts:
Izzy Guy, MC2: isabelleg@thisismc2.com
Alesha Sinclair, MC2: aleshas@thisismc2.com
About SYZ:
SYZ (Salford Youth Zone) is a purpose-built Youth Zone dedicated to providing Salford’s young people with world-class youth work, ensuring they have the confidence to dream big, achieve more, and shape a future full of possibility. The new Youth Zone is set to open in 2025.
SYZ is an OnSide Youth Zone and has been created in collaboration with umbrella charity Empower and Salford City Council. The Youth Zone will be open seven days a week, with more than 20 activities on offer every session for young people aged eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with an additional need or disability.
For more information on SYZ, please contact comms@salfordyouthzone.org
About Empower:
Empower is a youth work charity that exists to create a future where every young person has the opportunity to grow and succeed. It provides life-enhancing opportunities in its purpose-built youth centres, called Youth Zones, in Salford and East Manchester, equipping nearly 10,000 young people with the support, skills, and confidence to dream big, achieve more, and shape a future full of possibility.
As the largest employer of youth workers in Greater Manchester, Empower combines grassroots community engagement with professional training to deliver world-class youth work.
About Landsec Futures Employability Partnerships and Education Programme
The programme’s objective is to support underrepresented people facing barriers in local communities with the employability skills and opportunities to enter careers in our business, industry and supply chain, enhancing social mobility. As a core part of Landsec Futures, these initiatives are delivered in partnership with charities, social enterprises and community organisations around the UK.
Landsec Futures Website: www.landsec.com/futures
