“It’s the best place in the universe.”

“I struggled a lot with anxiety when I first arrived and felt really nervous not knowing anyone. The staff supported me by taking time to get to know me, chatting with me, and helping when I needed it. Being able to talk to staff has really helped me cope with things. I love being at the youth club.”

“I also got to take part in creative projects and community events, which helped me gain confidence and skills I now use in my part-time job.”

“I’m proud to be part of CYZ, I’ve learned so much from the team but especially from the young people!”

“It’s amazing that I can do all of this at the youth club and have full access to the equipment. I joined because a lot of my friends were already going – they came to every session, so I thought it would be a good way to get to know more people and have something different to do after school.”

There are loads of things I enjoy at the youth club – football, young leading, playing pool, working towards my Duke of Edinburgh award, and using the music room.

I think the main things I’ve taken from volunteering with the Youth Zone is: it’s way more than just giving back – alongside the obvious benefits to the young people you also learn and develop yourself too; it can be as structured or flexible as you need.

The youth club was always the place I looked forward to the most each week, and the one I was most sad to leave at the end of the night.

We’re honoured to support an organisation that gives so much back to the future of our city.

Youth Zone is like my second home.

The sessions themselves were great – I loved the books we read and the conversations we had. But what stood out most were the friendships I made.

Young leading has helped me feel more confident and responsible – I’ve learned how the music equipment works and I like showing others how to use and look after it.

Being part of this project has been a good thing during a tough time, and it’s helping me work towards my GCSE music grade.

Overall, it’s been somewhere that’s consistently helped me grow – in happiness, in confidence, and in the skills and passions I carry with me now.

Before the youth club, there wasn’t really anything locally for people like me who have additional needs. I wanted somewhere to spend time with people my own age and to work on my social skills. The youth club gave me the space to do just that.

We believe in supporting young people.

The youth club has boosted my confidence so much. Staff have always been there when I needed to talk. One of the quieter sessions helped me build the confidence to join the busier one.

There were also emotional challenges – like when I lost a family member. That was a really tough time. I found it hard to express how I was feeling, but staff were always there for me. Sometimes it was easier talking to them than my family.

I originally got in touch with the Youth Zone as I wanted to give something back but also do something for me again after having two children and moving to a remote working job.

I realised I needed to get out of the house more, and wanted to do something that would give back to the local community. The application and training process was straightforward, and I felt fully supported along the way. It was clear from the outset that CYZ was going to be different from other places I’ve volunteered; CYZ wanted to get to know me as a person, my interests and what I wanted to get out of it as well as what I could offer them.

I’ve gained independence, freedom, and belief in myself.

I would definitely recommend signing up to volunteer at CYZ as it not only gets you out of the house, but gives you the opportunity to support other children in making different choices, and help them progress in life. CYZ quickly recognises volunteers’ own talents and regularly reviews their own strengths, placing them in an area where they will feel most comfortable and competent in their work.

We firmly believe that businesses should be doing their bit to empower the future generation.

As a volunteer at CYZ I really feel part of the team and am treated in the same way as the paid members of staff. Volunteering has given me back the self-confidence that I lost during the pandemic – I’m now part of a local samba drumming band and I couldn’t have imagined doing that 2 years ago!

I get to try things I don’t experience at home or school, and there’s always something going on. The staff let me have the freedom to be myself, and that’s why I feel so comfortable here. They listen – and that means a lot.