One of the city’s most iconic charities has announced an exciting new partnership with HideOut Youth Zone to support Manchester’s “ambitious young people”.
We Love MCR Charity has welcomed HideOut Youth Zone as the latest referral partner for its unique ‘Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund’ – which launched for 2021 back in January, and offers the region’s 16-25 year olds grants of up to £2,000 to help them take their next steps to success in work, qualifications or entrepreneurship.
It has joined over 30 of Manchester’s leading youth organisations providing the city’s most ambitious young people with the best possible start by removing financial barriers to their success.
We're delighted to share the news that we've partnered with HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton!@HideOut_YZ's state of the art youth provision will direct talented young Mancs to apply to our unique Manchester's Rising Stars Fund 🌟
HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton is a flagship £6.6 million youth centre for young people across Manchester, which overcame all odds by opening during the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
It is dedicated to supporting young people with three core provisions they all need and deserve – “somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk to”.
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HideOut Youth Zone
The Manc Group
HideOut supports young people to fulfil their potential, and the Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund is the perfect stepping-stone to help young people progress from the Youth Zone into a successful career or business.
The centre’s state-of-the art catering department, media studio, and health and beauty facilities offer unparalleled development opportunities for young people.
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“HideOut Youth Zone offers incredible support and guidance for young people across Manchester”. Councillor Tommy Judge, Lord Mayor of Manchester and We Love MCR Charity’s Chair of Trustees, said.
“Now, our Rising Stars grants will help their ambitious young Mancunians to take their next steps to success.
“Our grants ensure that money will not be the barrier to ambition in Manchester”.
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We Love MCR Charity
Adam Farricker – CEO at HideOut Youth Zone added: “We’re excited to link with We Love MCR Charity to add their fantastic Rising Stars grants to our offer, building on the vital support we already offer.
“It’s a perfect partnership and I can’t wait to see the first grants awarded to some of our members”.
Keen to learn more about We Love MCR Charity’s unique offer?
You can read all the Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund page on the We Love MCR Charity website here, and explore HideOut’s amazing opportunities here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group | We Love MCR Charity
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Young people urged to book ‘lifesaving’ meningitis jabs this summer before heading to university
Emily Sergeant
The NHS is urging young people who are heading to university or residential colleges this September to book their ‘lifesaving’ meningitis jabs.
Following the meningococcal B disease (MenB) outbreak in Kent earlier this year – which was the fastest growing and largest ever seen in the UK – the Government announced last month that hundreds of thousands of young people across England will get protection against MenB through a one-off vaccination programme.
Meningococcal disease is life-threatening and can result in life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss, and brain damage, and in around 10% of cases, it is fatal.
The viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread through close contact with a person who has them – for example through kissing, or sharing drinks or vapes, or having close contact with the person for long periods of time.
Appointments to get the jab can now be booked at high street pharmacies across England – with the first time slots available from next Monday (20 July).
We're launching a one-off MenB vaccination programme ahead of the next academic year to protect young people from a life-threatening disease.
This will help reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks. Two doses are needed for full protection.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) June 12, 2026
In total, the NHS predicts that around a million young people are eligible for the vaccine, and those who are eligible are:
People born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008
People born on or after 21 July 2001 and starting university for the first time this autumn
People born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting in some residential further education colleges for the first time this autumn.
17 and 18-year-olds can already book via the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at community pharmacies, while other eligible people need to contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment.
Two doses of the vaccine are needed for protection at least 28 days apart, so booking now gives eligible young people enough time to have both doses before they pack their bags for university or college, and before meningitis cases typically begin to rise in the autumn.
“The risk of MenB rises sharply for young people starting university, where mixing closely with so many new people increases exposure to the bacteria,” explained Dr Shamez Ladhani, who is a Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA.
“Getting both doses of the vaccine over the summer will provide robust protection against most Meningococcal strains, offering vital peace of mind for students and families as they take this next big step.
Featured Image – NappyStudio (via Unsplash)
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Seven Manchester green spaces have been named some of the best in the UK
Emily Sergeant
A handful of green spaces in Manchester have once again been handed coveted awards and named among the best in the UK.
It may be on your radar that for several years running now, parks and cemeteries in Greater Manchester have deservingly been recipients of the prestigious Green Flag Award – which is an internationally-recognised honour given annually to the parks and cemeteries that have ‘attained a high standard of green space’.
And 2026 seems to be absolutely no different, with the region coming out on top once again.
Green Flag Awards are granted by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy each year to recognise accessible green spaces that set ‘an international benchmark for management’.
Seven Manchester green spaces have been named some of the best in the UK / Credit: Donald Judge (via Flickr) | Wikimedia Commons
Every site recognised through the scheme is assessed by experienced judges who judge the parks using eight criteria.
The criteria includes environmental management, biodiversity, landscape and heritage, community involvement, marketing and communication, and management to make sure it’s a safe and secure place for visitors of all ages.
2026 has been one of Manchester’s most successful years, as Manchester City Council has revealed this week that Blackley, Gorton, Philips Park, Manchester General, and the Southern cemeteries have all been given the Green Flag Award, as well as both Alexandra Park and Heaton Park retaining the important title too.
The awards shed light on the range of groups, volunteers, and staff who devote themselves year-round to the maintenance and upkeep of these areas.
“Come rain or shine our colleagues are out in our parks and cemeteries every day of the year, putting their time and effort into making them the internationally recognised locations they are,” commented Councillor Basat Sheikh, who is the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council.
“I’m deeply proud of their efforts and I want to dedicate the seven Green Flags we have been awarded to them.
Emily Sergeant -
28th April 2021 
