STAFF at Blackburn Youth Zone have talked about how young people’s aspirations have changed since the £6m hub opened 18 months ago.

Youngters have gone from the verge of being ‘dead or in prison’ to owning businesses and studying for university degrees after turning their lives around at the club, in Jubilee Street.

Neil Sewell, 51, left a job heading a youth service in the capital after talking with Youth Zone’s chief executive, Peter Little.

He said he was in full support of the Lancashire Telegraph’s campaign to raise £60,000 to train 100 Young Leaders to help their local communities while also studying for a qualification, undertaking work experience and being role models to their peers.

The head of youth work said: “Coming here from London I was surprised by the lack of aspiration in young people. There was this feeling they could only achieve if they moved out of Blackburn, but now there seems to be a shift.

“They believe they can achieve something in Blackburn, and the Youth Zone is that catalyst. They can create an identity in Blackburn, certainly through music, which is one of our popular activities.”

Neil is able to share his experiences with young people he works with. He was in local authority care as a toddler and had what he described as an ‘institutionalised’ upbringing.

He said: “I was on the cusp of criminality. It just so happens I was offered the chance to work with young people from the age of 17. From there I met a youth worker who gave me a lot of motivation.”

To get behind our appeal you can donate to the appeal directly, or hold a fundraising event.
To request a fundraising pack or to donate online, visit www.blackburnyz.org/youngleaders.
Alternatively, you can text BYZA01 and the amount you’d like to donate (either £2, £5, £10, or £20) to 70070.
For example, to donate £5, text BYZA01£5 to 70070.
You can also donate over the phone with a credit or debit card by calling 01254 292001.