Proud Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone since 2012

A sense of community has been embedded into our culture since the beginning, and as we’ve grown, we’ve been able to offer more and more help to those who need it most.

We support many not-for profit-organisations, and several of those are right here in Lancashire which is where we planted our roots.

One of the projects that is close to our heart is Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, an organisation we have been supporting since its beginning eleven years ago.

The original vision was that the Youth Zone would be part of the fabric of the town, owned by every member of our community. It is nestled at the heart of Blackburn and is open to those aged 5 to 25 years old, aiming to change the prospects offered to young people in the area.

Offering a state-of-the-art £5 million facility, young people have a space which provides, ‘somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to’. Volunteers are at the heart of the project, to give young people safe access to positive adult role models of all ages and backgrounds.

The Youth Zone has created a unique network of the area’s leading businesses from a variety of sectors, who fund 50% of the organisation’s running costs. Individuals and community groups get involved through an extensive events programme and they also provide support and guidance on community fundraising.

Colin Mustoe MBE, Chairman of The Senator Group, is one of the original Patrons. This week, he attended the Annual Patron’s Dinner, which unites Business Leaders in celebration of the positive community impact Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone has made:

“Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone has grown into a lifelong project that is at the heart of the community. It is an honour to have been able to provide such wonderful opportunities over the past 11 years. With the kindness and dedication of our supporters, we have been able to go from quite humble beginnings to now having an average of 1,200 young people every week through our doors – this is something to be truly celebrated.”

Other patrons include BAE Systems, Crown Paints, Graham & Brown, and Blackburn Rovers.