South Bristol’s Young people reveal Youth Zone brand name

South Bristol Youth Zone is named 224 after 4,250 young people took part in a huge vote.

The brand was unveiled at a special celebration event at local charity Youth Moves, who will run the new Youth Zone, by its Young People’s Development Group, which has led the process throughout. Guests included local young people, schools, community partners and Deputy Mayor Cllr Asher Craig.

Working alongside local design agency Lucent, the group developed a number of exciting brand concepts before taking two, ‘Beyond’ and ‘224’ out to a young people’s public vote, visiting schools and other organisations with 224 coming out on top with 62%.

The meaning behind 224 is that it stands for Today, Tomorrow, Forever, representing how long the Youth Zone will be supporting South Bristol’s young people. It will be open today, it’ll be open tomorrow and it’ll be open forever – seven days a week. ‘What you do today will affect you tomorrow and impact you forever’ is the tagline that the group came up with, meaning that the Youth Zone will help young people make positive choices about their lives that will have a lasting impact.

The group, which will also be involved in a number of other stages of the Youth Zone’s development ahead of its opening in 2025, talked guests through the design and voting process before unveiling the new brand.

Young People’s Development Group member Fin said: “I believe the branding process allowed me to connect and explore the surrounding community in Bristol. I’m thrilled to see the new brand begin to come to life with the new Youth Zone and can’t wait to share with the community the excellent opportunities we’ll be providing over the coming years.”

Lily, also a member of the Group, added: “So far this process has been such an amazing experience and something I thought I’d never be part of especially at this age. To have basically full control on naming, designing etc is amazing and I can’t wait for the future and see what things we have to come.”

Lucent Agency Managing Director David Key said: “It’s been a privilege for the Lucent team to get involved in this project. The Youth Zone is going to change so many lives for the long term and have such a positive effect across South Bristol. Working with the Youth Development Group has been mind-blowing. Such passionate, intelligent, inspirational young people who have clearly done a fanatic job, and care so much about ensuring this Youth Zone delivers for everyone.”

The Youth Zone is being developed by award-winning local charity Youth Moves in partnership with national charity OnSide. This will enable Youth Moves, who will run the centre, to support an additional 4,000 young people, aged between eight and 19 or up to 25 for those with additional needs.

It will be based on 14 similar OnSide Youth Zones operating across the country and will be filled with energy, inspiration, and highly-skilled youth workers who truly believe in young people. Young people will be able to access over 20 activities every night, ranging from sports such as football, boxing and climbing, to creative arts, music, drama and employability training – all for just £5 annual membership and 50p per visit.

Youth Moves CEO Alistair Dale said: “I want to say a huge thank you to the 4,250 young people who had their say on branding our Youth Zone and, of course, to our incredible Young People’s Development Group who led the whole process with such passion and energy throughout. It is only right that young people made the decision to create a brand that truly represents them, and reflects Youth Moves and OnSide’s commitment to putting young people and their opinions first. I’d also like to thank our wonderful friends at Lucent, who generously gave their time and expertise to turn the young people’s amazing ideas into an exciting reality.”

The Youth Zone, which will be located close to the roundabout which connects Hartcliffe Way and Hengrove Way, will be funded by a range of private and public sector contributions. Earlier this year, OnSide was awarded a Youth Investment Fund grant from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport which secured the remainder of the Youth Zone’s construction costs, which also includes £4.2million from Bristol City Council. The Council will also contribute £400,000 towards the Youth Zone’s annual running costs.  

Councillor Asher Craig, Cabinet Member for Children Services, Education and Equalities, said it was vital that young people in South Bristol have agency in the new Youth Zone. She said: “The launch of the name and branding for the new South Bristol Youth Zone is an exciting milestone in the journey of this world-class youth facility. It’s important that the young people of South Bristol have been instrumental in the process for choosing the name and creating this eye-catching branding. This milestone is another demonstration that the investment being made in youth services in South Bristol is one being led by and with young people in mind. 224 will truly be a Youth Zone for Bristol; by the young people of Bristol.”

The Young People’s Development Group is open for any young person in South Bristol to join and anyone interested should email info@youthmoves.org.uk.