The £3.1 million transformation of Blackburn Youth Zone is complete with upgraded facilities
and a new building ready to welcome thousands of young people in the town.
State of the art technology has been added to the existing improved and refurbished amenities
available to the 5,000 five to 19-year-old members who benefit from learning new skills on a
daily basis.
The completed works will be unveiled on Wednesday April 23 to many of the 74 patrons of the
Youth Zone – Blackburn and East Lancashire businesses in the main – which together
contribute 40% of the annual running costs.
They will be welcomed by the Youth Zone’s new chief executive, Leon Crosby, who will steer
the charity into a new era – leading, inspiring and educating young people as they progress
through life.
An impressive new facility known as Fusebox has been created out of one of Blackburn’s
historic buildings on the Jubilee Street site expanding the Youth Zone’s original footprint.
The works were enabled by the Government’s Department For Culture, Media and Sport via its
Youth Investment Fund to increase the Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s services to young
people in careers, leisure, culture and sports activities.
Blackburn Youth Zone is already recognised nationally as a “Best Practice” youth zone and the
new facilities will enable the dedicated team to increase their reach into the community and
provide life-changing – and life-enhancing – opportunities to more young people.
Leon Crosby says: “The funding from Government and our incredibly supportive patron
network has given us a once in a generation opportunity to rejuvenate our Blackburn facilities.
“The vision for this space is bold – a cutting-edge learning and enrichment zone that will
unlock doors for young people and equip them for the future.
“We can also now unveil Fusebox, the repurposing of Blackburn’s historic Gas Light Company
headquarters built in 1818, which provided power and energy to the town for more than 125
years.
“We have respected and are preserving this heritage for future generations. Fusebox will serve
as an inspiration designed to provide career pathways, skills training and opportunities for
young people to improve themselves.”
Crosby, aged 34 and from Bolton was himself inspired by the potential of youth clubs as an 11-
year-old attending Bolton Lads And Girls Club, the UK’s first youth zone.
Crosby says: “From an early age I was met with a jungle of activity and opportunity and in
many ways, 20-plus years on, I’m a by-product of youth work and all the magic it has to offer.
“My passion has always been ensuring that young people have a voice, equal opportunities and
an environment that allows them to reach their full potential.
“While this concept is fundamentally essential for children and young people, it remains a
societal challenge in the modern world. Our purpose is to restore and maintain these basic
principles.”
Crosby is chief executive of two youth zones in Blackburn and in Darwen. The Darwen facility is
about to undergo a similar £3 million transformation over the coming year eventually giving
East Lancashire two of the UK’s best Youth Zones.
Crosby added: “At Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, we work hard to provide young people
with a safe and supportive environment, offering inspiring activities and a spark of ambition to
thousands of young people whoever they are and whatever their background.”
A key offer is a new employment and skills hub in Fusebox to capitalise on the Youth Zone’s
success with employability and ensuring youngsters are work-ready through strong links with
businesses across the area.
Economic downturns affect young people disproportionately in the workplace with 16-24 year-
olds suffering unemployment significantly more than any other age demographic when times
are tough.
Alongside the employability hub will be opportunities to learn about new technology such as AI
and virtual reality using equipment that is not available in schools or colleges in the area.
Blackburn Youth Zone has 5,000 members, which represents 12% of the youth population who
come from every ward in the town and youth workers are ready to welcome more now the
capacity has increased.
Wayne Wild MBE, chairman of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, says: “Leon Crosby is going to
be an outstanding leader of the two youth zones and, together with a remarkable team of
youth workers, is ready and excited to meet the growing demand for our services.
“At the same time, we do face economic challenges simply to sustain the same level of
resources and we are incredibly grateful for our patron network – now 74 strong – whose
generosity contributes just over 40% of our annual costs.
“We are always looking to grow our business network and welcome any new companies that
want to join us as we inspire young people to gain skills and aspirations, to gain the best jobs
in the future, genuinely levelling up opportunities for future generations.”
For further information, photos and quotes please contact Neil Thornton on 07852 334343 or
email neil@thorntonmedia.co.uk
For further information about the Youth Zone and to discuss how to get involved as a patron
please contact Melanie Thomas, Head of Fundraising, on 07504 686157 or email
melanie.thomas@blackburnyz.org
Media Links
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/25104174.works-fusebox-blackburn-youth-zone-completed/
https://www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news/31mn-upgraded-youth-zone-opens-in-blackburn
