For more information on how to register for the Mokython, and to see exactly what Moky is please click here

This is an exciting new project launched by Carlisle Youth Zone and based on the BBC programme “Young Apprentice” which offers young people in the Carlisle Area the chance to learn some real employment and team working skills and demonstrate their entrepreneurial spirit with an amazing offer for the winner in the form of an apprenticeship via one of the counties top training providers System Group.

Please click here for more information and to apply for to be Carlisle’s Young Apprentice 2012

This is a ticketed event - tickets are available now in the CYZ reception for £1. (like the fab Christmas Party!). Dress to impress (the staff will be!)

See you there!

Replacement membership cards are being offered for FREE for the next two weeks only so come and see Jenna or Dawn at reception for your new or replacement card.

After this the cards will go back to being £1 for a replacement card

From the end of February – No membership card = No entry!

Our old holiday club has been refreshed for 2012 with a new identitiy and a brand new programme.

We’ll be have some fabulous trips to places like Brunton Park (who are also offering Holiday In The Zone members a special treat of a free childs ticket to the Tuesday 14 February game as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult), Geltside Nature Reserve where we’ll be orienteering and making bird boxes and we’ll also have a young firefighters course in too. We’ll also have all our usual activities as well as some new ones such as Karaoke, Radio DJ workshops plus loads more.

Click on this link to find out more about HITZ, including prices, how to book and to view the full programme.

Shoppers will receive a helping hand from some of the almost 2000 Carlisle Youth Zone members and their families, our fundraising volunteers and CYZ staff who will be there between 9am and 5pm each Saturday to raise funds for their clubs.

If you would like to help out at the bagpack please email your details and the time you are available to info@carlisleyouthzone.org - we dont expect you to stay for the whole day and CYZ members will be very grateful for just an hour of your time!

If you are interested in helping fundraise at other CYZ events please click here for more information.

Carlisle Youth Zone is a registered charity with running costs of £850,000 per year so charity events like these are vital to keep CYZ running.

Membership is up to 1900 and still growing, six months earlier than we expected, more importantly the number of young people coming to each of the clubs is higher than we anticipated at this stage and is still growing.

Thank you and well done to everyone, I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.

A big thank you to all my colleagues on the Board and to all our Patrons, Champions and Donors- together we have made this happen.

I’d also like to thank the public for their generosity, as a charity we are dependent on it, to continue to offer first class provision for our young people.

But this is just the beginning; we have an exciting year a head in 2012. Stephen has joined us as our new CEO and I’m sure with his experience and passion he will lead the youth zone from strength to strength. Colin as our Business Development Manager is already beavering away with creative ideas to fund raise enabling us to have the funding to increase what we can offer the young people.

So, I’m looking forward to our new projects, new partnerships and new developments, all to make Carlisle Youth Zone one amazing place to go but more than that by developing our offer we can make a positive difference to the young people on the margins.

Thank you again for everyone’s hard work, thanks to all you young people that have come and brought buzz and life into the building, keep letting us know how we can make it even better for you.

So all that’s left for me to say is MERRY CHRISTMAS and happy New Year – I know it’s going to be a good one.

David Allen

Chairman

Thank you to all the staff, volunteers and Directors that have made me so welcome, I have enjoyed meeting people and hearing about their achievements and the aspirations for Carlisle Youth Zone.

A special thank you to our chair David Allen, who has made me welcome and for his relentless commitment to the youth Zone.

In the New Year I will be dropping in on the clubs to meet the youth workers, volunteers and most importantly the young people using CYZ. I really want to know what we are doing well and what we could be doing better or different.

2012 will be both exciting and challenging. I want us to continue to develop the club programs and aspire that we might have a big event or new activity each month. As you may have read in the paper I want to take us into our second stage of development running specific programs for young people who need extra help to be inspired to new opportunities and to achieve more, I am particularly concerned for those young people struggling with unemployment and those who feel on the edge of our community, alongside increasing our rural outreach.

The challenge as always will be securing the funding to allow these exciting aspirations to become realities.

Thank you to all our patrons, champions and donors, I am so encouraged that you want to invest in our young people and give them more opportunities. Without your generosity none of this would possible. A big thank you to all you individuals, who have done sponsored events, volunteered your time and promoted the youth zone.

The economic downturn means it is essential that we continue to make the youth zone affordable for all to come but will mean there will be less grants and sponsors around. It is essential we make every pound donated to us work as hard as possible to improve the life chances of all young people. We won’t be able to do this on our own and I will be continuing to build on our current partnerships and looking for new ones so our energy and resources can work together for the benefit of Carlisle young people.

So well done everyone, be proud of all that you have achieved this year, learn well the lessons on things that have not gone so well.

Enjoy the Christmas parties and have a great Christmas.

Look forward to starting 2012 refreshed and enthused with all that we are going to achieve

Stephen

The Staff and Volunteer Christmas do which took place on Sunday 11 December at CYZ itself was the perfect opportunity to pay thanks to them. Some of the most dedicated volunteers were presented with certificates from the Carlisle Youth Zone Chairman – David Allen.

Here is a list of the volunteers who have dedicated the most time:

50+ hours

Alexandra Barrett – 50hrs

Ricky Beaty – 50hrs

Terry Davis – 55hrs

Tracey Moore – 56hrs

Kev Francis – 62hrs

Ashleigh Foster – 66hrs

Tristan Sykes – 80hrs

Tom Graham – 84hrs

Chris Makar – 86hrs

100+ hours

Mark Richardson -111hrs

Mark Nicholson – 125hrs

Clare Sunter – 130hrs

Chad Coulter – 134hrs

Amber Brecken – 174hrs

Dan Turnbull – 176hrs

Some of the volunteers receiving their certificates with the Volunteer and Recruitment Training Manager, Lorraine Bearchell-Healy.

Stephen has worked with children and young people for 28 years and has a varied background in education and social care. He has a strong track record of improving services and outcomes for young people and has been instrumental in promoting social inclusion and meeting the needs of young people during his previous employment.

His past roles involved responsibility for children in public care, children’s social services and education welfare, and he’s hoping to put that experience to good use at the Youth Zone to develop and inspire its 1700 young members.

In addition to leading the Youth Zone, Stephen will focus on working closely with local businesses to ensure continued funding but also to develop opportunities to get young people better prepared for employment. He’s also keen to expand the Youth Zone’s activities throughout rural communities and to work in partnership with other community groups.

Stephen lives in Carlisle and has worked in Cumbria for the last seven years.

Stephen Mason, Carlisle Youth Zone chief executive, said: “This is an exciting challenge and I’m relishing the opportunity to lead the Youth Zone and enhance the provision of quality youth programmes and activities. I want to develop the offer to young people by providing a safe and exciting place to go – with support and encouragement to help inspire them.

“Key to the success of the Youth Zone will be the young people and I will be encouraging their further involvement in the development of the services and finding ways to reach those in Carlisle yet to experience all it has to offer. There is a strong inclusion group for young people with disabilities, I want to build on this to increase their inclusion in as many activities with other young people as possible, as well as delivering focused activities for their specific needs.

“I am also keen to help steer our vulnerable young people away from anti-social behavior by providing positive alternatives and opportunities. They get too much bad press and it’s grossly unfair – I want to demonstrate the best of our young people in Carlisle, encouraging them into community activity. I have aspirations that Carlisle Youth Zone can be a national exemplar of what can be achieved by working in partnership. I believe it’s important to make the Youth Zone resources available to other groups and rural communities to ensure this state-of-the-art facility is utilised to its full potential.

“Most importantly, however, we need to ensure continued funding and financial support. The Youth Zone is a charity and relies on public funding and grants, so developing long-term and sustainable funding partnerships with businesses and communities is key.”

David Allen, Chairman of Carlisle Youth Zone, said: “I’d like to welcome Stephen to his new role as chief executive of Carlisle Youth Zone in what I believe to be a significant and positive appointment. We’ve had a successful first six months but Stephen’s experience will help give the Youth Zone, and all the staff, youth workers and volunteers, the extra drive we need to keep the good work moving forward. Together with Colin Powell, our new business development manager, I believe we have a strong team to lead the Youth Zone into 2012.”