Places for People continues support for Chorley’s Inspire Youth Zone with £20,000 grant from the Places Foundation
20 August 2025
Places for People (PfP), the UK’s leading social enterprise, is proud to announce a further £20,000 grant to Inspire Youth Zone in Chorley, awarded through its charitable arm, the Places Foundation.
This latest funding reinforces a long-standing partnership with Inspire, a vital local youth charity that has been empowering young people across Chorley, Clayton Brook, and Astley Village since its inception in 2018.
As a founding patron of Inspire Youth Zone, PfP has consistently supported the charity’s mission to provide a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment for young people in the local area. The Youth Zone operates seven days a week, offering a wide range of activities and support services that help young people build confidence, develop skills, and improve their overall wellbeing.
Director or Places Impact at PfP, Marcus Hulme, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our continued partnership with Inspire Youth Zone who we have supported since 2018. Their work is transformational, and through the Places Foundation, we’re committed to helping them reach even more young people in Chorley. This latest grant is part of a wider commitment by PfP to invest in the Chorley area where we have over 6,200 homes, around one third of which are affordable and supported.
“Over the past three years we have invested almost £125K locally to support projects that make a real difference to our communities in Chorley. The impact of facilities like Inspire are clear for us all to see and provide an environment where young people can feel safe, where they can belong and where they can thrive.”
The £20,000 grant from the Places Foundation will go towards funding Inspire’s ‘Be Active’ programme, which enables young people to participate in sports such as tennis, rounders, skateboarding, trampolining, netball, and roller skating. These activities are proven to enhance physical and mental health, boost self-esteem, and foster social connections.
Melissa, a 14-year-old member of Inspire Youth Zone, said: “At first, I was really nervous, and I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but everyone was so supportive. By the end, I felt proud of myself for getting involved, and I even made some friends. It’s given me the confidence to try new things at the Youth Zone and not be afraid to put myself out there.”
Recent survey data from Inspire further highlights the profound impact of its work with 77% of young people reporting increased self-confidence, 83% gaining new skills, 89% of members receiving free meals and feeling happier about their lives, 73% feeling less isolated and 70% considering themselves healthier.
Gemma Bathurst-Whittle, Grants and Contracts Manager at Inspire Youth Zone said: “Places for People has stood with us since day one, and this grant is more than just funding - it’s a powerful investment in young people in Chorley and its surrounding areas. With their support, we can continue offering opportunities that many would otherwise never have access to – from sport and nutrition to trusted youth workers and vital mental health support. Every 50p session at Inspire costs us around £25 to deliver, and it’s only thanks to partners like PfP that we’re able to level the playing field and help thousands of young people feel safe, supported, and seen. Together, we’re not just changing lives, we’re changing what’s possible.”
Each year, Inspire supports approximately 3000 young people, delivers approximately 1,500 sessions, provides over 9000 free meals as well as over 5000 free passes to ensure accessibility for all. The centre also runs weekly family days, welcoming around 200 visitors every Sunday, many of whom live in PfP homes.
For more information about Inspire, visit https://www.inspireyouthzone.org/
