CHIEF Constable Mark Roberts has donated £6,700 to the Youth Zone in Warrington on behalf of Cheshire Police as, part of the ongoing “Constabulary in the Community” Christmas project.
Over a period of six days, Mr Roberts will be donating a total of £50k of funds to six worthy charities and organisations from across Cheshire.
Warrington Youth Zone is one such charity. It has supported the young people of the town from its state-of-the-art facility since 2022, but its history spans over 70 years, having first been established as Warrington Boys Club in the 1930s.
Over the next seven-plus decades the club adapted and operated out of several locations across the town and welcomed generations of young people from all walks of life, genders and backgrounds, before changing its name to Warrington Youth Club in 2003 and becoming a registered charity.
The Warrington Youth Zone has built upon the legacy of the Youth Club and, today, offers a variety of different activities and initiatives to support young people’s development, offering opportunities to gain, increase and develop skills, knowledge, self-awareness and confidence, and enabling them to make positive and healthy life choices.
Whether young people want to meet old friends, make new ones, work out or get involved in a sport, or simply find somewhere where they can relax and have a hot meal, the Youth Zone is available to them for just 50p a visit.
Now, representatives from the Youth Zone have been presented with a cheque for £6,700 by Superintendent Adam Ross on behalf of the Chief Constable and the Constabulary to support their upcoming projects for the new year and the continued day-to-day running of the facility.
Mr Roberts said: “The Youth Zone is integral to the children of Warrington and has a long legacy of helping them become the best version of themselves, which is why I am delighted to present their team with this cheque for £6,700 to support them in doing so through 2025.
“It is very important that the young people have a safe place to go to where they can develop their skills and abilities, pick up a new sport or hobby, or meet up with friends and socialise.
“Their work also helps us as a force, as the opportunities the Youth Zone provides gives these young people an alternative to engaging in crime or anti-social behaviour, instead giving them a safe environment where they can freely express themselves and have fun with others of a similar age.”
Dave McNicholl, director of operations at Warrington Youth Zone, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded such a generous donation of funding from Cheshire Constabulary to support our work with children, young people and families. Warrington Youth Zone provides high quality social opportunities for young people across Warrington and from our base at the Youth Zone on Dallam Lane.
“We work with children and young people aged 7 – 19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs. When school closes, we open, from 4pm each day and every weekend and school holidays, our members can take part in our sports programmes including rock climbing, boxing, dance and drama, arts and crafts and football on the 3G pitch on the roof.
“We work with children from across Warrington providing a range of universal open access sessions, alongside targeted programmes to support some of the more vulnerable and marginalised young people.
“This funding will allow us to continue to support young people at risk of involvement in anti-social behaviour and criminality by providing a rich array of diversionary activities and raise their awareness and understanding of the implications of their current choices. We look forward to work closely with Cheshire Police in providing the highest level of support to those who need it most.”
To find out more information about the Warrington Youth Zone, contact them on 01925 977277 or visit their website at Warrington Youth Zone
