It's 4pm on a dull Friday afternoon in January but Manchester Youth Zone is buzzing.
The unmissable yellow panelled building, home to an award-winning children's charity, brims with energy as dozens of young people enjoy the modern recreational area.
We have decided to experience a Youth Zone first-hand, ahead of HideOut opening in Gorton this spring, to see how it helps the young people of Manchester.
Based in Harpurhey, Manchester Youth Zone is multi-coloured, bright and noisy but the users all look happy and engaged as they play pool, swat at shuttlecocks or master cooking.
This is only one space in the two-storey purpose-built building, previously known as The Factory, which has more than 4,000 members.
It provides a safe place for young people aged 8 - 19, and up to 25 with additional needs, from across Manchester.
And for only 50p they can enjoy world class facilities, including a boxing gym, climbing wall, music room and football pitch.
Spring 2020 will see an additional Youth Zone opening its doors in the city, HideOut in Gorton, offering more young people who call Manchester home, access to such facilities.
Ahead of the opening, we meet some of the incredible young people and staff who have already benefited from the OnSide Youth Zone Network.
"I was first through the door and I've never looked back"
When Lucy Szoltysek walked through those big front doors for the first time it was almost silent.
She was 11 at the time and knows exactly how young people in east Manchester will feel when they walk into HideOut Youth Zone.
Now, aged 19, she has developed from a shy youngster to a confident full-time member of staff.
The former St Matthew's RC High School student said: "I was here on the first day it opened.
"My mum signed me up, but I didn't know much about it. I remember the queue was out the door on the first day because it was a completely new building with great facilities, and everyone wanted to have a look."
Lucy, who is now 19 and works at the Youth Zone, remembers heading straight to the climbing wall that day.
She said: "I just thought 'wow' because there were things I'd never seen in this area before."
Hailing from a nearby estate in Harpurhey, Lucy recalls how she felt intimidated playing out on the streets because of anti-social behaviour.
She said:"There would be people flying around in cars and on motorbikes and my mum would rather I stayed in then go out and get caught up in it all."
However, going to the Youth Zone provided her with that safe space to develop and enjoy being a youngster, before leading to a career.
Lucy, whose role is funded by The Rank Foundation, was offered a job last August working to provide a youth voice within the organisation and beyond, as well as working with the junior member activities.
She explains: "This is what I've always wanted to do, to work with young people, so it's a great opportunity.
"A lot of them are from backgrounds just like me. I work with people who are from tough areas to show them that there is another side to life.
"Some of the kids are so unhappy when they first come but they soon realise that this building is more than just a youth club with a pool table."
One of Lucy's favourite things is going on residentials where staff take a group of youngsters to a rural location to try new activities like canoeing and camping.
She smiles kindly as she recalls how one of the kids had never seen a sheep before.
"Manchester is really built-up so when they go to the countryside it opens their eyes. The transformation that you see in them is great, they start off being really shy but before long it's like they've always been here."
Touching on why kids in east Manchester should give HideOut a try when it opens in 2020 she said: "There is so much going on at Youth Zones and every session will have something new. I would say sign up and get involved."
"Coming to the Youth Zone helped us unlock hidden talents"
Joining a Youth Zone doesn't just get kids off the street, it also gives them an opportunity to meet new friends and try new things.
Two girls who can vouch for this are Amelia McCallum and Ruby Watson. The pair, both aged 14, met at Manchester Youth Zone and have discovered a new-found love of sports and music.
Amelia, from Moston, joined when she was only eight years old with her older brother.
Since that first 'nerve racking' day she has flourished on the Youth Zones Young Leader’s programme and found a passion for singing.
She said: "Music is probably my favourite activity at the Youth Zone.
"I have started the guitar and ukulele but I'm mainly a singer. Before starting here I never thought I would have the confidence to do it but now I have an aspiration to perform and become a professional singer."
Amelia says she can identify with how overwhelmed the younger children can feel when they arrive at the Youth Zone because she also remembers feeling like that - but adds that it soon wears off once you settle in and make friends.
"The Youth Zone has had a really positive impact on young people and if it wasn't for this there wouldn't be anywhere in Harpurhey for kids to go. I think it keeps a lot of the younger kids out of trouble."
Another youngster who found a hobby at the Youth Zone is local girl Ruby, who now plays American Football.
Describing the centre as 'very welcoming' she has been coming for six years and is about to do her work experience there too.
Starting out in the gym she was then encouraged by a coach to take up basketball and American Football which has become a big part of her life.
Beaming with pride, the Manchester Titans player explains: "A couple of years ago I would never have seen myself watching or playing the sport, it has been almost a year now and I love it.
"I'm the only girl on my team and at first the opposition were going easy on me, even though it is a contact sport, but now they treat me the same.
"I feel lucky to have come here and found something that I love because it is good discipline and exercise for me, so I find it good mentally as well."
"My favourite activity is opening up the doors to the young people"
Next I come across Danny Percival in the Youth Zone's boxing gym, helping youngsters pad up.
It is an impressive space with a huge mural of sporting legend Muhammad Ali on the back wall. The quote next to him reads: "The man who has no imagination has no wings".
This doesn't apply here as 31-year-old senior session leader Danny is full of enthusiasm as he jumps into the ring and starts putting youngsters through their paces.
Youth workers, like Danny, are a vital part of the OnSide network and there will be dozens on hand at HideOut when it opens in spring.
The building team are also vital as they take inspirations from the young people and create the perfect space to reflect their character and ambitions.
This will be evident at HideOut where the steering group have helped design the interior spaces.
Danny, from Blackley, has worked with children since the age of 12 when he volunteered for a local football team.
He started coaching at 16 and volunteered for Man City before moving to work in a local high school helping young people with behavioural needs.
Speaking of his role at the Youth Zone he said: "We see many young people from single parent families or who face a lot of obstacles in daily life and we give them positive role models.
"We're here to give them a mentor, so they know they can go to a safe place where there are lots of activities to keep them busy and engaged, from basketball and music to rock climbing, seven days a week."
He is one of many professional and friendly staff that I meet at the Youth Zone, as they help to entertain, teach and inspire the youngsters.
I ask him what his favourite activity is and his answer shows the dedication that goes into his role.
"It's opening the doors every day and seeing smiles on the young people's faces" he tells me sincerely.
"A lot of them don't get many opportunities outside of here so to have access to the centre seven days a week is massive for them."
How can I support Youth Zones in Manchester?
The next Greater Manchester Youth Zone, dubbed HideOut, is due to open in Belle Vue, Gorton, later this year.
This state-of-the-art Youth Zone will serve the east of the city and will be headed up by CEO Adam Farricker.
Construction of the new building is nearly complete and was made possible by a donation from Fred Done and Manchester City Council.
Being a charity, local business and philanthropy provides a bedrock of support for the running costs of the Youth Zone and their commitment to this local asset is essential to its success.
With the addition of HideOut Youth Zone, we can give more young people across Manchester somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.
