Carlisle Youth Zone

Name

Carlisle Youth Zone

Legal name

Carlisle Youth Zone

Website

https://carlisleyouthzone.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth and Community Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (62441), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), School-Age Wraparound Childcare Centers (Holiday/Break Care) (EDACAAAL)

Keywords

• Youth work services
• Youth community centre
• After-school programmes
• Charitable youth activities
• Inclusion support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlisle

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership & Session Fees: Young people pay £5 annual membership and 50p per session visit. This is described as the same price since the organization opened in 2011, subsidized by fundraising. Holiday clubs charged £12/day (2025) and £20-£22/day (Summer 2026), partially subsidized by grant funding.
2. Donations & Fundraising: Individual donations, community fundraising events (Raceday raising £28,501.91 in 2025, Mountain challenges raising nearly £12,500), and the Miles for Moments campaign. Corporate sponsors underwrite events and provide direct financial support.
3. Patron Programme: Over 130 local companies donate money, time, goods or services, typically for three-year periods, as part of the Patron Village. Patrons receive networking events, team volunteering days, brand visibility, and CSR benefits. NXT Recruitment launched 'Hire with Heart' donating 5% of recruitment fees to CYZ.
4. Government & Grant Funding: Funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund for Cultural Opportunity Zone (BeCOZ) project, Cumberland Council, Copeland Community Fund, and other public grants for specific programmes (Holiday Activities and Food programme, Pears Cumbria School of Medicine Research Hub for the Cumbria Youth Co-research Collective).
5. Room Hire: The purpose-built facility (gym, music room, climbing wall, sports hall, arts area, dance space, café) is available for hire, generating income while supporting community use.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Carlisle Youth Zone (CYZ) operates a purpose-built youth facility in Carlisle offering age-differentiated youth club sessions (Junior, Middle, Senior, and Inclusion), holiday clubs, digital youth work via Zoom, and bookable activity projects. Services are delivered by qualified youth workers and supported by a Patron Village of 130+ local businesses, with member access priced at £5 annual membership plus 50p per session.

Product overview

Carlisle Youth Zone (CYZ) operates as a single-site youth charity offering a portfolio of integrated youth services through its purpose-built facility. The core offering consists of age-differentiated youth clubs (Junior Club for ages 7 to School Year 7, Middle Club for School Years 6-8, and Senior Club for School Year 7 to age 17), supplemented by specialized Inclusion Club sessions for young people with additional needs (ages 7-24). The service portfolio includes Digital Youth Work (online Zoom-based sessions), Holiday Club (full-day and extended-day provision during school breaks), and Wednesday Projects (bookable activity blocks including climbing, boxing, and creative workshops). Additional services encompass gym facilities, music room, climbing wall, and the Cumbria Youth Co-research Collective program. The Membership Program (annual £5 membership plus 50p per visit) provides access to all club sessions, while the Patron Programme enables local business partnerships. The organization celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2025-2026 under the #TeenCYZ campaign.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior Club
• Senior Club
• Middle Club
• Inclusion Club
• Digital Youth Work
• Holiday Club
• Membership Programme
• Patron Programme
• Cumbria Youth Co-research Collective
• Room Hire

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% increase in how young people rate their aspirations for the future
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kingmoor ParkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerManaging Director Neil McIntyre has been a CYZ patron since 2011 and serves as a trustee. Kingmoor Park was a major sponsor of CYZ Raceday 2025 and is listed as one of the key founding patrons who recognized the impact a purpose-built youth centre could have on Carlisle's young people.
• Armstrong WatsoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCEO & Managing Partner Paul Dickson has been a patron since 2015. Armstrong Watson sponsors CYZ Raceday 2025 and provides ongoing financial and reputational support. Described as believing in supporting young people.
• NXT RecruitmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron since 2018. Staff Sarah and Raluca raised £305 through a sponsored fell walk. Simon Kean, Recruitment Manager, became a CYZ Ambassador. Launched 'Hire with Heart' initiative — 5% of NXT's recruitment fee donated to CYZ when working with another CYZ patron. Active in #TeenCYZ campaign (Give, Get, Grow).
• Thomas Graham (T.G. Logo)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerManaging Director Roger Smith has been a patron since 2011. Described as believing businesses should do their bit to empower the future generation.
• Carlisle RacecoursecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for annual CYZ Raceday. Sponsorship of the flagship fundraising event. Collaborated on the 2025 Raceday which raised over £28,500.
• Tullie (Museum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner in the Cultural Opportunity Zone (BeCOZ) project, funded by UKSPF. Brought museum and cultural experiences directly into CYZ sessions, helping young people engage with local heritage and arts.
• Theatre By The LakecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner in the Cultural Opportunity Zone (BeCOZ) project. Worked with CYZ young people to develop theatrical skills and performances, including representing Carlisle at the National Theatre's Connections 2026 festival.
• Blue Jam ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner in the Cultural Opportunity Zone (BeCOZ) project. Provided arts experiences and workshops at CYZ as part of the UKSPF-funded programme to bring high quality cultural opportunities to young people.
• University of CumbriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic co-researcher partner in the Cumbria Youth Co-research Collective (CYCC). Professor Amanda Taylor-Beswick is an academic co-researcher who co-developed the 'Get Research Ready With Me' programme. Pears Cumbria School of Medicine Research Hub also provides funding for CYCC research projects.
• Manchester United FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivers football training sessions at CYZ on Tuesday evenings (term-time only) for ages 12–17, all abilities and genders welcome. Free to attend. Part of the regular weekly timetable.
• Carlisle United Football Club (CUFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUFC Football Training runs every Tuesday evening (term-time only) at CYZ for ages 12–17. Partnership provides pro-level coaching to young people in a safe environment. CUFC is also mentioned as operating football training on dates when Senior Club is closed.
• Boingboing FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production Enabler Lauren Wyatt (former Youth Co-researcher) contributed to developing the 'Get Research Ready With Me' programme for the Cumbria Youth Co-research Collective. Supports youth co-research methodology and peer learning.
• Petteril Community PanelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned the Cumbria Youth Co-research Collective's first funded research project (April–July 2025). 244 young people participated. Findings informed recommendations including adopting the Lundy Model of Participation and creating a Young Person's Working Group.
• Unwin Jones PartnershipcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal architectural firm and CYZ patron. Sponsoring the annual CYZ Lego Competition for the fifth consecutive year (2025). Provides PS5 and other prizes. Competition open to CYZ members and the public, ages 6–18.
• Bendalls EngineeringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFabricated four picnic tables for CYZ youth clubs as an in-kind donation. Made by apprentices, providing both community benefit and training opportunity for the apprentices.
• GP Robert Westgate (Pears Cumbria School of Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking alongside CYCC on the new research project 'Building Us In from the Beginning' examining how young people in Cumbria can influence and shape future healthcare experiences through co-design. Funded by Pears Cumbria School of Medicine Research Hub.
• OnSide Youth ZonescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network organization. CYZ was the first in the OnSide network, which now includes multiple youth zones across the country. OnSide provides a shared brand, best practices, and network resources. CYZ is the OnSide youth zone at the 15-year milestone.
• Carlisle Business SuppliesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with CYZ to sponsor the 'Your View' youth photography competition in celebration of Youth Work Week. Provided prizes including Instax cameras and high street vouchers.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wigan Youth Zone: Another OnSide Youth Zone operating the same purpose-built youth club model for ages 7-17+ with a 50p-style membership and corporate patron programme. Directly comparable to CYZ in funding model, age range, and facilities mix.
• HideOut Youth Zone (Manchester): OnSide Youth Zone in Manchester delivering the same open-access youth work model with corporate patron support. Comparable in target audience (8-19, up to 25 with additional needs) and programme breadth (sports, arts, music, digital).
• Bolton Lads and Girls Club: Long-running north-of-England youth club offering open-access youth work, sports, arts and inclusion programmes. Direct operating-model peer for CYZ.
• Legacy Youth Zone (Croydon): OnSide Youth Zone in Croydon serving a multi-activity youth club mission with strong corporate patronage. Highly comparable operating model and member age band to CYZ.
• The Way Youth Zone (Wolverhampton): OnSide-affiliated youth zone offering similar multi-activity evening sessions at an accessible price point. Directly comparable in mission, age band and patron-driven funding model.

Emerging players

• Youthscape: UK charity focused on youth work research and innovation programmes for adolescents. Comparable audience and life-skills agenda but more research/curriculum-led than open-access facility-based delivery.
• Groundwork UK: Federation of regional Groundwork trusts delivering community-based programmes for young people including sport, outdoor learning and employability. Shares CYZ's place-based, multi-activity youth engagement model but with broader environmental remits.

Broad incumbents

• UK Youth: National umbrella body funding and supporting a network of youth organisations across the UK. Comparable audience and youth-development mission but acts as an infrastructure/grant-making body rather than direct delivery.
• National Youth Agency: Sector body for youth work in England, setting standards and convening youth organisations. Adjacent mission and audience but a policy/standards body, not a direct provider.
• The Prince's Trust: Major UK youth charity supporting young people into education, employment and training. Comparable target audience (young people facing disadvantage) but operates as a national grants/training provider rather than a single-site youth club.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CarlisleYouthZone
• Facebookfacebook.com/CarlisleYZ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carlisle-youth-zone
• Instagraminstagram.com/carlisleyouthzone

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carlisle Youth Zone