Thwaites has become a Gold Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone in support of the development of Youth Zone Darwen, a new purpose-built facility set to open in early 2026.  The donation will contribute towards equipping and delivering Youth Zone Darwen, which is currently under construction following a £4 million investment from Blackburn with Darwen Council. Once completed, the building will be handed over to Blackburn

“What Feels Like Failure Today is a Lesson for Tomorrow” – Victoria Price Inspires at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Supporters Lunch Blackburn, 27 January 2026 Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone welcomed patrons, supporters, local business leaders, and students to its latest Supporters Lunch on Tuesday, 27 January, offering an afternoon of connection, reflection, and inspiration. Hosted in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, the quarterly event

Bigtank Video Productions creates a new film for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone & joins their Patron Network Bigtank Video Productions has joined the Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron Network, further strengthening its support for young people across the boroughs. Bigtank has supported Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone for many years but as part of a renewed commitment, Bigtank has also produced a powerful new film

SUMMIT Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron Network to Support Young People SUMMIT, the newly formed business from the merger of Forward Thinking and Latitude Marketing, has joined the Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron Network, making a donation to help raise aspirations and develop skills for local young people. SUMMIT provides a powerful blend of business strategy and planning, backed by marketing strategy and creative

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Brings Festive Cheer to Over 1,200 Local People This Winter In December, Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone opened its doors to welcome families from across the borough for a much-loved Christmas Family Fun Day, bringing festive cheer to more than 1,500 young people and adults. The day began with a special invite-only morning with Santa, where over 100 people were welcomed to

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone and Deaf Village North West is excited to announce the launch of a new Deaf Support and Learning (DSL) provision. This initiative aims to enhance inclusion and accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing young people across Blackburn and Darwen, providing a safe and supportive environment where all young people can learn, socialise, and thrive. The provision has been made possible through the Reaching

We had an amazing day at the Babyzone Family Health & Wellbeing Community Day held at Blackburn Youth Zone! Over 300 people joined us to enjoy free classes, fun activities, and expert advice, all aimed at supporting local families to thrive. We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our wonderful partners who made this day possible, including Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Pre-School

What an incredible month it has been! Our “Paint the Town Orange” campaign brought together businesses, community groups, and individuals from across Blackburn and Darwen, all uniting to raise vital funds for local young people. Thanks to everyone’s amazing efforts, we have already raised over £12,000 (and counting)! A huge thank you goes out to everyone who participated, including Blackburn Round Table, Dave Riley – Community Champion,

  Young people from the Blackburn with Darwen Youth Zone showcased their creativity and teamwork in an exciting “Ready Steady Cook” challenge, combining fun, flavour, and friendly competition in the kitchen. A total of 16 participants from both the Junior and Youth Zones were divided into four teams, each guided by a guest from SOFHT (The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology). Tanya from Symclean also provided

  Napthens LLP is proud to reflect on the success of its recent Widening Participation Outreach Day, held on Thursday 16th October 2025 at Blackburn Youth Zone. The event brought together 150 secondary school pupils from the Blackburn and Darwen area, including many from underrepresented backgrounds, for a day of inspiration, learning, and career exploration. The initiative, led by Napthens in collaboration with PM+M, Handelsbanken, Ingham & York, Miller Insurance, and

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is proud to welcome Greystonegill Distillery as its newest Bronze Patron, recognising their generous support and commitment to making a difference for young people across the borough. Rooted on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border, Greystonegill Distillery—renowned for its dedication to both craftsmanship and community—has become part of a growing network of patrons supporting the Youth Zone’s essential services. Their patronage will directly contribute to

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is delighted to welcome Randstad UK&I, the world’s largest talent company, to its Patron Network – a group of forward-thinking businesses dedicated to raising aspirations and creating employment pathways for young people in Blackburn and Darwen. Operating in 39 countries and placing hundreds of thousands of people into work each year, Randstad UK&I brings unparalleled global expertise in recruitment, skills development, and

  Some of the borough’s biggest and best businesses came together to celebrate the relaunch of The HIVE – part of a brand-new collaboration between Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone. Set to the backdrop of the impressive new Fusebox extension at Blackburn Youth Zone, the Supporters Lunch welcomed leading business figures for an event focused on ambition, collaboration and inclusive growth. It

H&T Presspart Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron Network Blackburn, Lancashire – 14/07/2025 H&T Presspart, a global leader in manufacturing components for respiratory drug delivery devices, is proud to announce its support for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone as a Patron. This partnership reflects the company’s continued commitment to supporting the local community and investing in opportunities for young people in Blackburn and Darwen. Blackburn &

John Lewis Partnership Foundation Renews Support for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone with Two-Year £60,000 Employability Fund Grant Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, a dedicated charity committed to helping young people achieve their full potential, is proud to announce a renewed partnership with the John Lewis Partnership Foundation. Through the Foundation’s Employability Fund – and in collaboration with local John Lewis textile factory, Herbert Parkinson – Blackburn

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

Vape Dinner Lady Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron Network  Vape Dinner Lady is proud to announce its support for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone as a Patron, reinforcing its commitment to investing in the local community and supporting young people in Blackburn and Darwen.  This partnership highlights Vape Dinner Lady’s dedication to making a positive impact beyond its core business, ensuring that the next generation

Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone’s first supper club of the year was held at Jules Restaurant, Mytton Fold on Wednesday 2nd April, where Leon Crosby was unveiled as the charity’s new CEO.     Leon shared with the patron network that his journey demonstrates the power of great youth work. From attending Bolton Lads and Girls Club aged 11, to volunteering as a young leader and then

WEPA UK Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron Network  WEPA Professional UK, a leading hygiene specialist in Europe, is proud to announce its support for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone as a Patron, reinforcing its commitment to investing in the local community and supporting young people in Blackburn and Darwen.  “At WEPA UK, we are passionate about making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Khalid

Handelsbanken Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron Network Blackburn, Lancashire – 29th January Handelsbanken, a trusted relationship bank with a strong local presence across East Lancashire, is proud to announce its support for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone as a Patron. This partnership highlights Handelsbanken’s commitment to giving back to the community and helping to create opportunities for young people in Blackburn and Darwen. Blackburn &

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Celebrates Its Biggest Annual Patron’s Dinner Yet Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone hosted its Annual Patron’s Dinner at the stunning Mytton Fold, bringing together over 140 patrons, supporters, and community champions to celebrate a year of remarkable achievements. This unforgettable evening marked the largest gathering of supporters in the Youth Zone’s history, united in their shared mission to empower and inspire young

Global Leader Precision Polymer Engineering Becomes Gold Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, Supporting Local Young People in the Community Blackburn, Lancashire – 5th November Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE), a global leader in high-performance elastomer seals and components, is thrilled to announce its new role as a Gold Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone. This partnership reflects PPE’s commitment to investing in the local community

Red Rose Holdings Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron Network Blackburn, Lancashire – 30th September Red Rose Holdings joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Patron network. This partnership highlights Red Rose Holdings’ commitment to supporting the local community and investing in the next generation of young people in the local area.  Red Rose Holdings is the parent company of a diverse range of businesses, including development

Pendle Doors Charity Golf Day Raises £5,000 for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone CARDEN PARK GOLF RESORT – Thursday 4th July 2024 Pendle Doors, a proud family-owned manufacturing business, successfully organised a charity golf day at the prestigious Carden Park Golf Resort, raising £5,000 for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone. This event was a testament to Pendle Doors’ commitment to supporting the local community and empowering young

Boxer Cindy Ngamba, from Cameroon via Bolton, won the Refugee Team’s first medal thanks in part to the value of youth workers When I first saw Cindy Ngamba she was a nervous teenager, hovering about on the pavement outside Bolton Lads and Girls Club wondering whether to come in. I was a youth worker there and when I spotted her, hesitant and a little anxious, I invited

  Clitheroe Golf Club hosted the annual Trevor Dawson Charity Golf Day again, which this year raised funds for the Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone. The overall winners were The Cardboard Box Company, with second place taken by Farley’s Solicitors and third place Dobson and Beaumont. A magnificent £6,500 was raised for the charity. Caroline James, managing director Trevor Dawson, said: “We were delighted to host our

A major £3.1 million project to transform and expand the Blackburn Youth Zone has got underway in the town centre.    The Youth Zone is undergoing a huge refurbishment to improve and grow its services to young people in the town.    The historic Fusebox facility, which is located within the building, is also being redeveloped. The Fusebox is located in a historic building in Jubilee Street, which

‘Community passionate’ CoolKit becomes a patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone    CoolKit, the UK’s leading specialist in temperature-controlled vans, has become a patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone only months after opening its new headquarters in the town. Gill Hayes, HR and Finance Manager at CoolKit, said, “We are passionate about supporting our local communities. We believe that we are more than just an

Clitheroe Golf Club to Host First Annual Charity Event on September 20th Clitheroe, UK  On September 20th, the esteemed Captains from six local golf clubs will unite to host a Charity Golf Day at Clitheroe Golf Club. The event aims to raise vital funds for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s innovative Next Level Sport initiative. This year, the Club  Captains from Clitheroe, Pleasington, Blackburn, Wilpshire, Darwen, and

Chairman of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, Awarded MBE Wayne Wild, the esteemed Chairman of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, has been awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Kings’s Birthday Honours List. This accolade recognises Mr. Wild’s services to Young People and to the communities of Darwen.  Humble Beginnings and Professional Accomplishments: Wayne Wild’s journey is a testament to

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone raises funds with their First Annual Boxing Event in Partnership with Technique ABC hosted at King Georges Hall Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, in collaboration with Technique ABC, proudly hosted their first annual fundraising boxing event at King George’s Hall on 17th May. The event, attended by over 450 enthusiastic supporters, aimed to raise funds for the Youth Zone’s ‘Next Level Sport’

Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone awarded £399,157 to support local young people’s emotional health and wellbeing Thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone will be increasing the support it gives local young people with their emotional health and wellbeing – thanks to a grant of £399,157! The Reaching Communities fund aims to bring people together to build strong relationships in and

AMRC North West Joins Prestigious Patron Network of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone  AMRC (Advanced, Manufacturing, Research Centre) North West, a pioneering force in driving innovation and growth in Lancashire’s manufacturing sector, proudly announces its partnership in the esteemed Patron network of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone. This partnership underscores AMRC North West’s commitment to supporting local communities and nurturing the development of young individuals in the

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone celebrated the success of the Eid Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 27th. The event was a collaboration between Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, One Voice, IMO and the local community. Over 700 young people and families gathered to celebrate the day.   The event showcased the dedication of youth workers, volunteers, and community members who joined forces to ensure its success.

Thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone will be increasing the support it gives local young people with their emotional health and wellbeing – thanks to a grant of £399,157! The Reaching Communities fund aims to bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities. It also aims to help more people reach their full potential by supporting them

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, was the guest of honour at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s Careers Fair on Thursday 29th February 2024. The event was attended by 189 enthusiastic young individuals for whom it offered insights into apprenticeships, training & development, and job opportunities, as well as guidance on overall health and well-being. The event was built on the existing collaboration

IN4 Group Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone as Silver Patron, Strengthening Commitment to Educational Enrichment and Economic Empowerment   Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is excited to announce a major partnership with IN4 Group, a prominent technology organisation dedicated to promoting prosperity and inclusive growth. IN4 Group has proudly become a Silver Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, solidifying their commitment to unlocking the potential

Catchpoint UK Fire and Security Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone as Bronze Patron, Strengthening Community Support Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is delighted to announce a new partnership with Catchpoint UK Fire and Security, a leading provider of fire and security solutions. Catchpoint UK Fire and Security has proudly become a Bronze Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, demonstrating their commitment to supporting local communities

Napthens raise £5,313 for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone at Annual Charity Clay Shoot An annual event hosted by law firm Napthens raised £5,313 for local charity Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone. Held at the Coniston Hotel and shooting ground at Skipton, North Yorkshire, the day saw local businesses unite to raise vital funds for the charity. Sponsored by Napthens, ACG Renewables and Bowker Motor Group, the

Murray Building Services Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Network as Bronze Patron    Murray Building Services, a leading provider of professional mechanical engineering services, proudly announces its role as a Bronze Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone. This collaboration highlights Murray Building Services’ commitment to supporting local communities and investing in the next generation of young people.  As a Bronze Patron, Murray Building Services joins

Dobson and Beaumont Joins Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Network as Bronze Patron Dobson and Beaumont, a precision engineering company based in Appleby Street, Blackburn, takes a significant step towards community involvement by becoming a Bronze Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone. This decision reflects the company’s dedication to supporting local initiatives and fostering the development of young people within the community. Established in 1917 by

The grand opening of Youth Zone Darwen was attended by 200 people from the community. The new location of the Youth Zone is the former Britannia Building Society building on Railway Road, called Over Darwen House. This move marks an exciting new chapter for the charity, as it aims to offer improved facilities and increased accessibility to better serve the community. The grand opening celebration kicked off