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Youth Zone appoints ‘proud Prestonian’ as first Chief Executive

Posted on - 21st March, 2024 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - People, Preston City Centre, Preston Council, Preston News
Tim Jacques Pic: OnSide Youth Zone

Preston Youth Zone’s first chief executive is a ‘proud Prestonian’ with a career in policing that spans over 37 years.

Tim Jacques, who has lived in Preston most of his life, was welcomed by OnSide charity to lead whilst work on the development of the Youth Zone is underway.

Tim attended St Cuthbert Mayne High School (now Our Lady’s High) and Newman College before starting work in a couple of city centre shops including Heatley’s Cycles and Goodright’s TV and HiFi store.

A product of youth work himself, Tim attended scouts for several years and played in several local bands over the years including at Preston Carnival with Jalgo’s Steel Band.

Read more: A short history of Preston’s Caribbean community – from colour bar to cricket to Carnival

After visiting several youth zones in Bolton, Wigan, Manchester, and Wirral, he wanted to get involved in bringing one to young people in Preston.

Tim said: “Visiting other Youth Zones was a mind-blowing experience, the opportunities they offer young people are amazing, from that point on I was hooked. The prospect of leading a team to open one of these spaces for Preston’s young people was just too tantalising, I had to go for it.

“I am proud and honoured to become the first Chief Executive of this brilliant charity, and I am grateful for the persistence and effort displayed by the charity’s Board of Governors to make this a reality. I am driven by purpose, trying to bring some good into people’s lives, and really do believe the Youth Zone will be a life-changing space for many of Preston’s young people. I am looking forward to working alongside other youth service partners in the city to give our young people the support and life chances they deserve.”

National charity OnSide is delivering Preston Youth Zone in partnership with Preston City Council, the Towns Fund and the DCMS’s Youth Investment Fund. Other key supporters include BAE Systems, Pringle Homes, and Bespoke Healthcare.

What the youth zone could look like Pic: Elephant Visual
What the Youth Zone could look like.

The Youth Zone will be an independent charity with a private sector led board, and once opened will be part of the OnSide Network of 14 Youth Zones nationwide, supporting over 55,000 young people annually.

Read more: Two options in the running for name of new Preston Youth Zone

A local Young People’s Development Group (YPDG) has been helping to make key decisions for the Youth Zone.  

Welcoming Tim into the position, Preston’s YPDG said: “It’s great that Tim is from Preston as he understands the local challenges that young people will be facing and is driven to make the Youth Zone a success. We’re happy that Tim was successful as he is positive and passionate about Preston and its young people.”

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