224 Celebrate Their Official Opening and Launch Song Created by Young People, Geoff Barrow and DJ Dazee
We celebrated a historic moment on Saturday as over a thousand young people, families, community leaders, businesses, funders and supporters came together to officially open the doors of 224 Youth Zone, a transformational new space that promises to change the lives of thousands of young people for generations to come.
Our £12 million Youth Zone, is the first OnSide Youth Zone in the South West and the 19th to join the national network. More than just a state-of-the-art building, we represent a bold investment in the talent, potential and future of young people in South Bristol.
From the moment guests arrived, our building was buzzing with energy. Young people showcased the incredible opportunities available within the Youth Zone, with visitors trying circus skills with Circomedia, exploring creative arts activities, taking on the climbing wall, experiencing sports sessions and seeing cutting-edge technology in action in the Maker Space, including 3D printing and digital design.
We welcomed Health Minister and Bristol South MP Karin Smyth, Heather Frankham, Chair of Trustees for 224 Youth Zone, Yassin Mohamud, Lord Mayor of Bristol, Anne Nisbet DL, High Sheriff of Bristol, our ambassadors Geoff Barrow and DJ Dazee, alongside major funders, including Computershare, Bristol City Council, John James Foundation, business leaders, community partners and supporters who have helped make the project a reality.
We were also proud to share that our Chief Executive, Matt Justice, was presented with a High Sheriff Award by High Sheriff of Bristol, Anne Nisbet DL, recognising his dedication to improving opportunities for young people across South Bristol and his leadership in bringing the vision for 224 Youth Zone to life.
‘’As youth workers, we know how important it is for young people to have somewhere they feel they belong. Somewhere they are welcomed, valued and accepted for who they are. A place where they can discover new interests, develop new skills, access support when life becomes difficult and build trusted relationships with adults who genuinely care about them.’’
‘’Over the last few weeks, we’ve already started to see young people making this place their own. Filling these spaces with energy, ideas and excitement in a way that no building ever could on its own.’’
‘’Because ultimately, a building doesn’t become a Youth Zone because of what’s inside. It becomes a Youth Zone because of the young people and youth workers who fill it.’’
‘’Whilst we’re all proud of the building we’ve opened today, the most exciting thing about 224 isn’t what has already happened.’’
‘’It’s what happens next.’’
‘’The real success of 224 won’t be measured by this building. It will be measured by the impact it has on Bristol and the generations of children and young people who will benefit from it in the years ahead.’’
”And I think that’s something our city can be incredibly proud of.’’
Matt Justice, CEO 224 Youth Zone
“It’s a real privilege to stand here today and celebrate the opening of this extraordinary place. The name 224 was chosen by young people themselves. It stands for Today, Tomorrow, forever because, as they told us, what you do today shapes your tomorrow and remains with you forever. I cannot think of a better description of what this Youth Zone is all about.”
Heather Frankham, Chair of Trustees 224
The celebration culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by young people themselves, a fitting tribute to those who have been at the heart of the project from day one. Following the ceremony was the cutting of a five-tier cake, made by our Food and Youth Engagement Worker, Simone Braithwaite, alongside Ruby from the Young People’s Development Group, showcasing the collaboration between staff and young people that makes 224 so unique.
One of the most exciting moments of the day came with the debut of Same Old Story, an original track created through a unique collaboration between young people from South Bristol, our ambassador Geoff Barrow, DJ Dazee, The Cause and Tor Maries of Billy Nomates.
Created through a series of songwriting and recording sessions, the project gave young people the opportunity to work alongside some of Bristol’s most respected musicians, gain experience in a professional recording studio and share their voices through music.
The track captures exactly what we’re all about: giving young people access to real opportunities, new experiences and inspiring role models. Whether it’s making music, learning new skills or exploring future careers, we exist to help young people discover their potential and believe in what’s possible.
“As a teenager I would DJ at my local Portishead youth club and rehearse with my band. After I left school with no qualifications, it was the woman who ran the club who got me on a youth training scheme in a music studio. Without the youth club and her belief in me, I would never have had the career I’ve had.
“I had a terrible time at school; my dyslexia wasn’t diagnosed until after I left. I couldn’t read and thought I was stupid. But at the youth club I felt safe and understood by the youth workers. I could confide in them because they gave me time. Sometimes young people need someone to talk to who’s not part of their family or the school system, who they can trust and who are trained to spot problems.
“With all the issues young people face now, youth workers are needed more than ever. 224 will provide that as well as an incredible building and the chance to try everything from podcasting to basketball to art and design.”
Geoff Barrow, 224 Ambassador
While our facilities are world class, our true impact will be measured not by our climbing wall, sports pitches or music studio, but by the lives changed within our walls.
Every evening, our passionate youth workers will be on hand to support, encourage and inspire young people as they navigate the challenges of growing up. Alongside them, businesses, employers and community partners will play a vital role in opening doors to new experiences, industries and careers.
Young people will have opportunities to meet employers, gain practical skills, access mentoring, build confidence and discover pathways into sectors they may never have considered possible. Whether their interests lie in technology, engineering, creative industries, healthcare, hospitality, construction, sport or entrepreneurship, we will help them develop the skills, networks and aspirations needed to achieve their goals.
For many young people, our building could be where they discover a passion, secure a work placement, learn a new skill or simply find someone who believes in them.
“Today is about much more than opening a new building. It’s about opening doors to opportunity for thousands of young people across South Bristol. The name 224 stands for Today, Tomorrow, Forever, and that perfectly captures the difference this Youth Zone will make – providing young people with opportunities today that will help shape their futures tomorrow and for years to come. It’s a fantastic achievement for everyone who has worked so hard to make this vision a reality.”
Karin Smyth, (Minister of State for Secondary Care and Bristol South)
“This centre will help countless young families across our city for years to come. Congratulations to everyone involved and I wish 224 every success for the future.”
Lord Mayor Yassin Mohamud
Named by young people themselves, 224 stands for “2day, 2morrow, 4ever”, a powerful reminder that the opportunities we create for young people today can shape their futures tomorrow and impact them forever.
The opening of our brand-new building is not the end of a project; it is the beginning of a movement.
Partnership is at the heart of our vision. We work alongside an incredible network of organisations across Bristol to ensure young people can access the widest possible range of opportunities, experiences and support. Among those celebrating the opening were valued partners Young Bristol and The Cause, who form part of a wider partnership network that includes Empire Fighting Chance, Bristol Robins Foundation, Bristol Bears Foundation, Bristol Sport Foundation, Bristol Flyers Community, Off The Record and WECIL to name a few. Together, these organisations play a vital role in strengthening the support, opportunities and experiences available to young people through 224.
As we begin this exciting new chapter, we are calling on more businesses, organisations and individuals across Bristol to become part of our story. By joining our growing network of partners, funders and supporters, they can help create life-changing opportunities for young people and play a direct role in building a brighter future for South Bristol.
Because when young people are given the opportunity to succeed, entire communities flourish.
For South Bristol, Saturday wasn’t simply the opening of a building.
It was the opening of thousands of futures.