WE ARE….
Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone is a 21st-century Youth Zone at the heart of the borough, open to young people aged 5 to 25. Since April 2025, the charity has expanded its offer to support children from birth to 5 years old through the launch of Baby Zone, ensuring support begins at the very earliest stages of life.
With a state-of-the-art £5 million facility in Blackburn and an additional Youth Zone site now established in Darwen, the organisation is extending its reach and impact across the whole community. Together, these spaces provide safe, inspiring environments where young people can access “somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk to.”
What makes Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone unique is its commitment to working with young people, not simply for them. The organisation is guided by the principle of “starting where young people are, going where young people take us,” ensuring that its offer evolves in response to their voices, needs, and ambitions.
The Blackburn site itself is built on land where, over 100 years ago, the town’s first electricity generating station once stood. Where energy once powered the town physically, the Youth Zone now powers it socially—fuelled by the creativity, resilience, and potential of its young people.
Across Blackburn and Darwen, the Youth Zone continues to grow as a vital force—supporting children, young people, and families from birth through to adulthood, and helping to shape brighter futures for the entire community.
Our vision is straightforward—every young person under our care is safe, healthy, and happy. We envision a community where well-being is paramount and the youth are equipped to flourish in all aspects of their lives.
Our HEART values are at the core of everything that we do and the services we provide for thousands of young people across Blackburn with Darwen.
Honesty is celebrated as the best policy. We believe in transparency, truthfulness, and integrity in all our dealings, fostering an environment of trust and openness.
Rooted in the belief that excellence is a journey learned through experience, we strive for continuous improvement, innovation, and the pursuit of the highest standards in all our programs and initiatives.
For us, accountability is synonymous with doing what is right. We take responsibility for our actions, decisions, and impact, ensuring that our commitment to the well-being of young people is unwavering and ethically sound.
We value the dignity and worth of every individual. Our commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment is woven into the fabric of our organisation.
We recognise the power of collaboration. By fostering a culture of cooperation and shared goals, we amplify the positive impact of our collective efforts, working together towards a common vision.
