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.
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:
“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:
“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.
Trending
My Chemical Romance fans are losing it as emo favourites appear to tease UK tour
Danny Jones
American alt-rock and emo favourites My Chemical Romance aren’t just back for one last Black Parade; it looks like they might be heading to the UK for more tour dates.
Not just a phase, never was.
My Chemical Romance (an entirely different kind of MCR) made yet another mighty return to the fore earlier this year, nearly two whole decades on from the release of the seminal album, which dropped in 2006 and has now been toured live again by the New Jersey band.
Playing the album IN FULL for the first time in years, they’ve been busy in North America delighting die-hard crowds, but now a recent teaser has got My Chem fans gearing up for UK and Ireland shows.
As you can see, MCR released the somewhat cryptic comedy sketch above, in which they seem to spoof a gameshow centred around a robot named ‘Quizzo’.
The host of this fictional programme goes on to explain that the result will determine “who will be the next lucky country to win the grand prize of one nuclear winter.”
It might only last for a few seconds, but the main takeaway is that the ‘who’ selected as the recipient of this upcoming prize is none other than the United Kingdom.
Combine that with a simple caption that reads, “Let’s show them what they’ve won”, it’d be hard not to jump to the conclusion that we Brits are about to pretend we’re ‘Teenagers’ again and chant ‘Na Na Na’ until our lungs give out.
In the time since the post went live, fans on this side of the pond have understandably started getting very excited…
My Chemical Romance are coming back to the UK… For the 1st time since 2022 when we all thought it would be the last hurrah…#MCRpic.twitter.com/vHWO5mK89j
At first, some were wondering whether this year’s revival might have also seen the resurrection of their much-mythologised but ultimately scrapped 2019 record, The Paper Kingdom, but it seems pretty much nailed on that their transatlantic followers are about to get some gigs.
It remains unclear whether these still TBC dates will be an extension of the current ‘Long Live The Black Parade‘ tour, which began on 11 July, or something new entirely.
Either way, with this current run of shows due to end in September and hints at a ‘nuclear winter’, it’s a fair assumption to guess that My Chemical Romance will be coming to the UK either later this year or early 2026 – and you bank on a big Manchester booking to be thrown in there too.
Featured Images — NBSTwo (via Flickr)/Reprise Records
Trending
Alejandro Garnacho set for Premier League switch as Manchester United shuffle attacking lineup
Danny Jones
Young Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho looks set to make a switch to another Premier League team as he has reportedly already reached an agreement regarding personal terms with his next club: Chelsea.
The promising winger, who graduated from Man United’s academy setup and has quickly made an impact even in just a short time in the first team, is now believed to be London-bound very soon, with Chelsea now “close” to completing a deal for the 21-year-old.
While there are no doubts surrounding his talent and potential, it is said the rift between him and the United head coach comes down to personality, character and conduct, with the latter not shying away from sharing grievances publicly.
🚨 Chelsea have stepped up talks with Manchester United over deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho. Clubs in touch on topic for some time & now advancing amid Benjamin Sesko joining #MUFC. 21yo winger wants #CFC or nothing + expects move to happen @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/vdc1dtnA0p
According to The Athletic, it now looks as though after having agitated for a move, Garnacho has got his wish and is set for the capital, in a move which could see him become the 51st senior player to sign for the Blues under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
It is, quite frankly, a staggering number – especially given the fact that he only purchased the club back in May of 2022.
Most notably in Garnacho‘s case, too, it also raises questions around where in the Chelsea squad he will fit and how much regular first-team football (a guaranteed starting spot rumoured to be a flashpoint with Amorim) he will be able to enjoy should the deal go ahead.
For instance, besides the plethora of other attacking players at Enzo Maresca’s disposal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says that the west Londoners are also pursuing PSG’s Xavi Simons.
Nevertheless, the Italian journalist claims that “every detail of personal terms with Chelsea” has now been agreed, with the Argentine prospect now fully set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
You can see what other Manchester United transfer updates he gave in his latest video.
Romano goes on to state that the deal is effectively done as far as the player side of things is concerned, adding that Garnacho is now only interested in Chelsea since and has been since July.
Although negotiations are yet to begin with Man United, it looks likely that they will push to get a transfer approved quickly as they look to cover the costs of the other business, having already brought in a number of players.
Emily Sergeant -
29th September 2020 
