Salix Homes and Salford Youth Zone have been crowned winners of a prestigious national community award, securing a £5,000 grant to further support young people in the city.
The partnership was named the winner of the Community Award at the Travis Perkins Managed Services ‘Better Together’ Awards, held at the world-famous Silverstone Circuit on 5th March.
Salix Homes, a Salford-based housing provider and founding patron of the Youth Zone, nominated Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) for the accolade. The award recognises the partnership’s commitment to transforming young lives, strengthening community connections, and boosting community spirit across Salford.
Liam Turner, Chief Executive Officer at Salix Homes, said:
“At Salix Homes, we believe that building vibrant communities goes beyond providing homes—it’s about supporting people and creating opportunities for the future.
“Salford Youth Zone embodies that commitment, offering young people a safe, inspiring place to learn, grow, and connect with others. We are incredibly proud to support their work as a Patron, and to see this partnership win a ‘Better Together’ Award is testament to what can be achieved when organisations come together to create lasting opportunities for the next generation.”
The Community Award, sponsored by WonderGrip, celebrates exceptional initiatives that demonstrate an outstanding contribution to resident participation and engagement. As a result of the win, Salford Youth Zome will receive a £5,000 grant from the Travis Perkins Legacy Fund, which will be utilized to support the ongoing mission of the Youth Zone.
Located in Pendleton, SYZ is open seven days a week, offering more than 20 activities every night at just 50p a visit. SYZ is the second site from youth work charity EMPOWER, with their first, HideOut Youth Zone, opening in Gorton in 2020. Together, the two Youth Zones now support more than 15,000 young people across Manchester and Salford with somewhere safe to go, something positive to do and someone trusted to talk to.
Amanda Coverdale, Senior Philanthropy Manager for Empower Youth Zones, shared:
“This award belongs to the young people of Salford, and to every partner who stands with them. We are especially grateful to Salix Homes for their patronage, their belief in our mission, and for nominating us for this award. Together, we are building a Youth Zone that will transform lives and strengthen Salford’s future.”
Gavin Paget, Account Manager for Travis Perkins Managed Services, added:
“Being a Salford lad myself, I am immensely proud to see Salix Homes and the Salford Youth Zone take home this award. SYZ provides a consistent, safe, and incredibly affordable space where hundreds of young people are building confidence and lifelong skills. This win captures the spirit of our ‘Better Together’ awards; it proves that when housing providers and community hubs unite, they create a vital support system that helps young people truly reach their potential.”
