Documentary tells the story of inspirational youth centre
HIDEAWAY IN MOSS SIDE HAS BEEN CHANGING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE SINCE 1965
A DOCUMENTARY project looking into the impact of one of south Manchester’s longest-running youth centres is airing on local radio.
A Moss Side Story on Unity Radio 92.8FM follows the youth workers of the Hideaway Youth Project in Moss Side and how it has been able to inspire and help change the lives of the many people who attend it.
The idea came about after Charlie Fyfe-Williams, 25, attended a talk by Kemoy Walker, a youth worker focused on creative arts and performances at the centre.
“The talk really inspired me – he spoke about the story of Hideaway and how it had impacted the community,” Charlie said.
“The kids there call the youth work- ers Uncle and Auntie. It just demonstrated how much the youth workers really want to help nurture the young people there and how much respect everyone has for one another.”
Charlie originally created the documentary project as a podcast but pitched the idea to Unity Radio bosses as a radio series while on an internship there.
Charlie spent six months recording the documentary series. He attended sessions and workshops, while speaking to youth workers and those using the service to find out the impact it had on people.
“There’s a real sense of community,” Charlie added. “A lot of the workers there attended the youth group themselves, and are still there now passing on what they learnt to others.” Since 1965, the youth centre has offered weekly drop-in sessions and opportunities for young people to dance, play sport, create art and perform.
Each episode looks at a different aspect of the youth group, whether it’s the workers or people who have used the service and gone on to create their own community projects.
Since the documentary, Charlie has continued to keep in touch with those at the youth group.
He now hopes the documentary will help raise some funds for the centre.
“There is a massive uncertainty regarding funding for youth centres,” he said. “For Hideout, they have a five-year grant and are in the third year of the contract. They are worried about what happens when that contract runs out.”
The documentary can also be listened to wherever you find your podcasts.
There is a massive uncertainty regarding funding for youth centres
Charlie Fyfe-Williams