‘HideOut’ revealed as official name for East Manchester Youth Zone

HideOut Youth Zone was revealed as the official name for East Manchester’s £6.5million Youth Zone by young people at a brand reveal on Thursday 21^stFebruary.

Working in partnership with Manchester-based ForeverAgency, local young people created the name, logo and brand identity East Manchester’s new Youth Zone, set to open in Gorton in Spring 2020.

Guests including the Youth Zone’s Board of Trustees, councillors, community groups and members of the public were delighted to learn more about HideOut Youth Zone, as local young people led the presentation at Gorton Monastery.

The young people’s development group, which is made up of young people from across East Manchester, started the creative process in November by defining what Manchester meant to them. Diverse, friendly, unique, together and confident, were values which young people felt reflected Manchester and should inspire the brand.

Following an extensive consultation period, where over 1,600 young people cast their votes, HideOut Youth Zone was the stand out winner.

Inspired by its location on Hyde Road, HideOut Youth Zone will offer young people aged 8-19 and up to 25 for those with additional needs, somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to, 7 a days a week.

For just 50p per visit, members will have access to an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, skate park, dance and drama studio, enterprise and employability suite, fully equipped gym, arts and crafts studio, martial arts gym, music room with a recording studio and much more.

On revealing the HideOut Youth Zone brand, one young person said: “When I first joined the young people’s development group I didn’t know anyone, but since then we have all become friends because the Youth Zone brought us together. Creating the HideOut brand has been one of the best things I’ve ever done and I can’t wait to see the logo on the side of the building next year, I will feel really proud.”

Joanne Whittaker, Chair of HideOut Youth Zone said: “Young people are at the very heart of the Youth Zone which is why it is so important they play a key role in its development. I am proud of the young people’s development group, not only have they created a unique brand, but they presented it confidently at tonight’s event. HideOut Youth Zone will create new opportunities for young people for generations to come, starting with fantastic opportunities such as this.”

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Schools, Culture and Leisure, Manchester City Council, said: “We’re committed to doing everything we can to help all young people across the city achieve their full potential and be the very best they can be, and this brand new dedicated centre is going to be a big help in this.

“HideOut Youth Zone is going to change lives, and I would encourage anyone with a vested interest in young people – whether you’re a business or an individual – to get involved and help make a real difference to them.”

Tom Booth, Manager Director of Forever Agency said: “As soon as we heard about the new Youth Zone coming to East Manchester we felt compelled to support this amazing new charity, as we were blown away by the state-of-the-art facilities the Youth Zone will provide.”

“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Manchester’s young people to create a youthful brand identity which will resonate with young people for years to come and look forward to seeing the opportunities the Youth Zone will bring for thousands of young people.” 

HideOut Youth Zone is being delivered in partnership with Manchester City Council, OnSide Youth Zones and a number of supportive philanthropists and businesses who are united in their aim to see Manchester flourish.

To find out more or to discover ways in which you can support young people through HideOut Youth Zone visit www.hideoutyouthzone.org.