Founded in 1995, The Zone works tirelessly to improve the lives of young people in the City of Nottingham. The Zone is funded through a variety of sources, including statutory sources, grant funding and paid for services.
We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of young people, particularly those facing significant challenges. We work closely with disadvantaged youth, providing them with opportunities and support to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.
Our work is grounded in understanding the complex issues these young people often face, including socio-economic barriers, educational challenges, and limited access to resources. By addressing these needs holistically, we aim to empower them to build a brighter future.
We provide young people with opportunities to connect with their communities, boost their self-confidence, and make positive choices for their future.
We equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions and lead fulfilling, happy lives.
We motivate young people to set high goals and strive to achieve their best, encouraging them to dream big.
We prioritise the emotional and physical wellbeing of young people, helping them navigate their growth and transition into adulthood.
At The Zone, we believe in the inherent potential of every young person to succeed and positively impact their community.
Recognising the diverse and complex backgrounds of the youth we serve, we tailor our support to meet their unique needs. Our comprehensive services cover education, health, lifestyle, and future planning, addressing all aspects of a young person’s life.
We are committed to helping them grow and thrive, offering unconditional and flexible support. We understand the importance of being available when needed and providing ongoing assistance for as long as it’s required.
We source our youth groups from a range of carefully selected channels to ensure we reach those who will benefit most from our programs. Our primary sources include YMCA Young Person Centres, where we engage with residents seeking growth opportunities.
We also collaborate with schools that identify and refer students who fit our target demographic, allowing us to tailor our support to their specific needs. The young people we engage are either not in employment, education or training or are at risk of becoming so. Working collaboratively with local alternative provisions (APs) across the county, provide access to youth who require extra support.
By drawing from these diverse sources, we ensure a broad and impactful reach, connecting with young people who can make the most of the opportunities we offer.
This cohort of young people benefit hugely from engaging in the projects The Zone offers, as they would otherwise be unlikely to have the opportunity to participate in such activities. There are many barriers facing the youth of today from postively engaging in outdoor recreational activities and The Zone is there to break down those walls and open a world of potential and opportunity.
Our Flagship outdoor project is ‘Access to Nature’. This project engages young people in a weekly programme of outdoor sports and environmental education, which are designed to introduce and expose participants to new and adventurous activities in local green spaces as well as giving the opportunity to develop much needed soft skills which can be transferred into participants lives, helping them to re-engage with education, training or employment.
Young people are engaged over a half or full term programme (between 6-12 weeks). At the beginning of a programme Zone staff meet with participants for a planning session; here students will help design the programme, using a menu of outdoor sports and environmental activities, they will plan the order and content for their programme ensuring participants take ownership of, and responsibility for, attending the programme. During the planning session staff talk to each participant individually to identify personal goals focussed on soft skills they would like to develop, such as confidence, respect, communication, leadership, trust and empathy.
Throughout the programme, encouraged by experienced coaches and tutors, participants will revisit and review goals, ensuring they take responsibility for their own learning. These improved skills can then be transferred into participants everyday lives forming the basis of their first steps towards positive social engagement and aiding re-engagement into education, employment or training.
The Zone Youth Project is funded by Trusts and Foundations. Over the last 12 months, we’ve been kindly supported by:
At The Zone, our partnerships with local organisations such as Clumber Park, Nottingham Climbing Centre, Sherwood Pines Cycle Centre, Colwick Park, and various other local organisations play a crucial role in enriching the experiences we offer to young people. These collaborations provide diverse opportunities for engagement and personal growth.
Clumber Park offers the opportunity for our young people to volunteer their time and skills to better a treasured part of the community, while Nottingham Climbing Centre and Sherwood Pines Cycle Centre promote physical fitness, teamwork, and personal achievement. Colwick Park’s water sports Activity Centre introduce new skills and exciting challenges.