New Manchester charity launches search for young digital creators to design its website

Aspiring young digital and creative individuals and companies have been given the opportunity to make their mark for a new Manchester charity.

Young Manchester has launched a search for creatives to design its new website.

An in-depth website design brief written by Manchester based, award-winning mobile and web development agency Degree 53 will be sent to hopefuls, who will then be asked to send in their creative ideas and website wireframe designs.

The finalists will pitch their proposals to influential names in Manchester’s digital industry including Andrew Daniels, managing director of Degree 53. The project will also be supported by leading international sports fashion retailer, JD Sports.

Young Manchester is a brand new charity set up by the council with the support of Manchester University and other local bodies. It’s part of a radical change in the way Manchester supports the city’s vital youth and play services.

Provision for children and young people – and the budget that funds the services – are being transferred from the town hall to the new charity.

Council bosses say Young Manchester will be much better equipped to raise funds in ways that the town hall can’t – meaning it will be able to attract funding from the private sector.

Young Manchester’s vision sees every child and young person in Manchester having access to high quality accessible and inclusive opportunities and to realise their full potential and prosper from economic growth in a world class city.

Its key goals are to support children and young people to develop personal and social skills to lead safe, happy, healthy and successful roles and to protect, support and promote the value of safe play and youth provision while developing new projects that benefit them.

“Young Manchester will transform the way youth and play services are delivered and is going to be a real game-changer for the city,” says Rosa Battle, the council’s culture and leisure chief.

“In an era of cutbacks, the access to sources of funding outside of the council that the charity will be able to tap into, is going to play an important part in giving children and young people across the city increased opportunities in all aspects of their lives.”

Young Manchester CEO Michelle Farrell-Bell says: “Young people of low confidence and low self esteem need extra support to help them reach their full potential to attain the level of learning necessary to give them greater choices in life.”

“We want to save young people from falling through the net and reduce the numbers who are not in education, employment or training – so called ‘neets’ – by providing them with opportunities that build their resilience and self belief.

“We’re really excited to be launching a wonderful opportunity for a young person or young digital company to support us in developing our platform.

“We are looking for someone who will really take the project under their wings and deliver a vibrant, accessible and youthful platform giving access to a range of information on support, activities, opportunities for volunteering and resources to those working with children and young people across Manchester.”

For more information on the project click here. Applications close on Friday 6th October at 12.00pm.