Young people across Manchester celebrated the official opening of the city’s newest charity HideOut Youth Zone last week.
Located in Belle Vue, HideOut Youth Zone is a brand-new youth charity which has been set up to provide young Mancunians with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to, and it opened its doors on Saturday 26th September.
Following months of isolation – which has taken its toll on young people’s physical and mental wellbeing – the Youth Zone will play a key role in supporting young people for years to come.
Open to young people aged 8-19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, the Youth Zone provides members with access to an indoor climbing wall, four-court sports hall, fully equipped gym, 3G all-weather pitch, music room with recording suite, training kitchen, dance studio, health and well-being room, arts and crafts area and much more.
All of these fantastic facilities are available for just 50p per visit too.
The £6.6million state-of-the-art youth facility – which is based on the successful OnSide Youth Zones model and will be the 14th Youth Zone in the national OnSide Network since the charity began in 2008 – was originally due to open in Spring 2020, however due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, plans for a spring opening were put on hold.
The HideOut Youth Zone was declared officially open in a ribbon cutting ceremony last week.
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The ceremony was conducted by Capital Donor Fred Done, representatives from Manchester City Council and young people from across the community.
Guests in attendance at the ceremony also heard from, Alex Kennedy, 16 – who is one of the young people involved in the development group that created the Youth Zone – as she shared a touching speech about her involvement with the charity.
“I’ve been part of the development group working on this Youth Zone for over a year now.
It’s amazing to see all our hard work has turned into a fantastic building which will help to support and encourage young people.”
Alex Kennedy
Fred Done – Capital Donor at HideOut Youth Zone – added:
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“I am fortunate that I am in a position to help set up this centre which officially opened today.
I’m from a working class background not so far away in Salford and know how important it is that young people get a chance to better their lives.
My message to youngsters in East Manchester is come on down and enjoy this fantastic centre that’s right at the heart of your community.“
All the photos from HideOut's amazing Grand Opening on Saturday 26th September 2020
In order to provide essential youth work support to young people, the team at HideOut Youth Zone has implemented new safety measures that are in-line with guidance from the government, Public Health England, the NHS, Health and Safety Executive, the National Youth Agency and wider stakeholders including Manchester City Council.
The COVID-19 safety measures in place at HideOut include capacity management, social distancing and hygiene stations throughout the building.
Initially, the Youth Zone will limit the number of young people able to attend and all members will take part in activities in bubbles of no more than 15. As restrictions ease and guidance allows, the Youth Zone will then implement an open offer, which enables young people to turn up and take part in as many of the 20+ activities on offer each evening.
Without restrictions on capacity, HidOut Youth Zones across the country can typically welcome up to 250 young people every evening.
Adam Farricker – Chief Executive at HideOut Youth Zone – said:
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“Although it is not the opening we had originally planned, we are proud to be welcoming young people into the building and provide much-needed support for many young people during this challenging time.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to HideOut’s supporters and funders for turning this dream into a reality for young Mancunians.
Today marks the start of a very exciting journey for the City’s young people.”
HideOut Youth Zone will now be open throughout the week, with different sessions for juniors (8-12) and seniors (13-19 and up to 25 for those with additional needs).
Annual membership costs £5, and then members pay just 50p per visit.
You can find out more information and book activities via the HideOut Youth Zone website here.
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
29th September 2020 
