NWF Group invests in the young people of Crewe

Specialist Distributor, NWF Group plc, has pledged its support of The Dome Youth Zone by becoming a Founder Patron.

It joins a roster of other businesses and philanthropists that will contribute towards the charity’s annual running costs. This funding will enable the new Youth Zone to offer first class facilities, fresh opportunities and dedicated support for thousands of young people living in Crewe.

Once it’s opened in spring 2026, The Dome Youth Zone will be an independent charity with a private sector-led board. It will be part of the growing OnSide Network of 15 Youth Zones nationwide, supporting more than 55,000 young people annually. Youth Zones are open to young people aged between eight and 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), seven days a week, for just £5 annual membership and 50p a visit. Young people who sign up will have access to an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, training kitchen, music room with a recording studio, fully equipped gym, boxing suite, dance and drama studio, 3G kick pitch, arts and crafts room, and enterprise and employability suite.

In addition to these incredible facilities, trained youth workers and dedicated volunteers will be available seven days a week to offer guidance and holistic support, to help the area’s young people to thrive. The Dome will also benefit the wider community and create permanent full and part-time jobs, as well as many volunteering opportunities.

NWF Group is a UK-based specialist distributor operating in three key sectors: fuels, food and agriculture, and The Dome will be based near the Group’s head office and many of its business operations.

When asked about the new partnership with The Dome, Chris Belsham, Chief Executive said

“Becoming a Founder Patron of The Dome reflects our passion to support the communities where our colleagues and their families – and our future colleagues – call home. The people of Crewe are fundamental to the success of our Group and, given that three of our businesses; NWF Fuels, Boughey Distribution and NWF Agriculture have considerable presence close to Crewe, we hope that our support of The Dome can make a real difference to young people’s life chances. We also aim to work with The Dome team to create a pathway to employment”.

He continued,

“We intend to support The Dome’s members further by offering mentoring, by matching our volunteer colleagues with young people who would benefit most from their knowledge and experience”.

Crewe Youth Zone Chair, Graham Ramsbottom commented on the partnership with NWF Group saying:

“I am delighted to welcome NWF Group as a Founder Patron of The Dome. I am not only hugely thankful for its contribution to the Youth Zone’s running costs, but also for its commitment to working with our young people, by offering mentoring and employability guidance. This is a great demonstration of NWF Group’s dedication to helping improve the lives of young people in our community.”

As with all OnSide’s Youth Zones, The Dome has a Young People’s Development Group – which is a group of local young people who have engaged with the Youth Zone since its announcement, and – supported by dedicated youth workers – play a key role in shaping the Youth Zone’s future. In spring last year, they worked alongside a branding agency to create two brand options, which were sent out to Crewe’s young people to vote on, with The Dome coming out on top. Currently they are sharing their ideas on the design of the site’s hoardings, to get the community excited about the Youth Zone.

We are delivering Crewe Youth Zone in partnership with Cheshire East Council and supported by several businesses and philanthropists. The Founder Patron campaign aims to achieve long-term sustainability, to ensure The Dome Youth Zone will be an asset to the community, transforming young people’s lives for generations to come.

We are looking for support from partners like NWF Group to ensure that the doors of The Dome open to a first class offering. If you would like to support young people living in Cheshire East, please contact: Ellen.Birchenough@onsideyouthzones.org