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2:16 PM 22nd July 2024
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MP Praises Youth Zone On Its 13th Birthday

Carlisle MP Julie Minns has praised Carlisle Youth Zone as it celebrated its 13th birthday in style this weekend.

Hundreds of children, their families and Youth Zone supporters took part in the celebrations with a wide range of fun activities on offer during the open day. A giant chocolate cake, face painting, football and live music were among the highlights.

Julie Minns was among the guests congratulating the Youth Zone on reaching its 13th anniversary.

She said:
“I came along to wish a fantastic happy birthday to CYZ - I can’t believe it has been 13 years.

“It is such an important asset for our city and it’s amazing to see the range of what is on offer here for young people. I want to see another 13 years of fantastic youth provision here, but I also want to see the new Labour government supporting youth hubs right across the country so it's not just young people here in Carlisle who are able to benefit from this kind of facility.”


The Youth Zone is supported by around 150 local businesses who act as patrons and provide around a third of its funding. Many attended the celebrations on Saturday.

Julie Minns added:
“The partnership between youth provision and so many local businesses is amazing. It is opening up opportunities for young people and inspiring them to think about the sort of careers that they might want to go into and it means that our businesses are plugged into what the next generation might want from our city as well.

“What has really struck me today is real diversity here with so many areas of activity. If you want to be in with all the action, playing football that’s good, but there are quieter spaces too.

“I have just enjoyed joining in with some art - it was quite therapeutic actually.”

Julie joined a print-making session alongside Olivia, nine, and Phoebe, five.

Mum Stacey Percival said:
“It is the first time we have been to the Youth Zone and I’m really impressed. There is a real family feel and I think Olivia would enjoy the art sessions.”


Artist Mark Gibbs, who has worked at the Youth Zone for seven years, said:
“The Youth Zone is such an asset for the community and it does a lot to give children a focus for their creativity.

“I want to help people feel that creating high-quality art is as natural as playing football.”


Professor Julie Mennell (Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria, Julie Minns (MP for Carlisle and North Cumbria), Caroline Taylor-Beswick (CEO Carlisle Youth Zone) and Councillor Chris Southward (Mayor of Carlisle)
Professor Julie Mennell (Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria, Julie Minns (MP for Carlisle and North Cumbria), Caroline Taylor-Beswick (CEO Carlisle Youth Zone) and Councillor Chris Southward (Mayor of Carlisle)
Also attending the celebrations was Carlisle mayor Chris Southward and chair of trustees, Julie Mennell, vice chancellor of the University of Cumbria.