One year on from opening its doors in Pendleton, Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) has marked its first birthday with a special community celebration, reflecting on twelve months of transformative impact for young people across the city.
Since launching in July 2025, SYZ has welcomed more than 6,000 young members and recorded almost 55,000 visits through its doors. In that time, the Youth Zone has served over 40,000 free meals, alongside offering young people access to more than 20 activities every session, from the climbing wall and fully equipped gym to the dance studio, music and recording studio, training kitchen, and art workshop, all for just 50p per visit. Open seven days a week to young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, SYZ has fast become a cornerstone of the community it was built to serve.
The milestone was marked with a free, family-friendly celebration bringing together 826 members of the Salford community for a day packed with activities, partner-led workshops, and live performances. The event was as much a celebration of the young people who have made SYZ their own over the past year, as it was of the families, staff, volunteers, and partners whose commitment made that first year possible.
The timing of the celebration also holds special significance, falling during Salford’s centenary year. For SYZ, being part of that milestone is a source of real pride; a reminder that investment in young people has always been part of the city’s story and remains just as vital to its future.
Reflecting on the past twelve months, Adam Farricker, CEO of EMPOWER, said: “This event is a landmark celebration for our Youth Zone and the entire city of Salford. Since we first began developing our offer in Salford, we have been so welcomed and supported by the city and its communities, working together to create a safe, supportive, and vibrant space for young people to thrive. I’m incredibly proud of all we have achieved in such a short time and deeply grateful to everyone who has been a part of our journey. This is just the first chapter of an incredible future to come.”
Behind the numbers, SYZ’s first year has also been its people; the young people who’ve found their passion and purpose within its walls, the skilled youth workers dedicated to guiding them, and the wider Salford community that rallied behind the project from the very start. Backed by Salford City Council, national charity OnSide, and the ongoing support of the patrons, donors and partners, SYZ was built on the belief that every young person deserves the chance to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.
As SYZ looks ahead to its second year, the Youth Zone remains committed to the mission that brought it to life: giving young people somewhere safe to go, something positive to do, and someone trusted to talk to. With one landmark year now behind it, SYZ’s team, partners, and members are already looking forward to building on the foundations laid in year one, continuing to help thousands more young people dream big, achieve more, and shape a future full of possibility.
