The finishing touches are being made to Darwen’s new state-of-the-art youth centre, which has taken shape over the past year, doubling the size of the previous single story 1970s building. Once completed, the new Youth Zone near Darwen Town Centre will be able to welcome over 800 participants a week.
The new facility will be open seven days a week, including weeknights, weekends and school holidays and will offer programmes to suit all ages, abilities and interests – a massive improvement on what the former youth centre could offer.
Young people at its heart
Darwen Young People’s Forum was instrumental in all aspects of the project, including architectural designs and having a say in the kind of activities that they would want to see from the new facility.
The youth centre will offer everything from a games cave, recording studio, salon, gym, a version of the popular Making Rooms creative space, outdoor sporting facilities, employment support, SEND provision and more. And, importantly, it will be free to enjoy, including meals.
Partnerships and patrons
A £3.3M Youth Investment Fund grant was awarded to Blackburn with Darwen Council and its partners for the project; part of tens of millions of pounds of new investment for Darwen town centre. Alongside the Government funding, the Darwen Youth Zone development has been supported by additional Council investment and contributions from the Youth Zone, including significant backing from local businesses through its patron scheme.
