Wigan Youth Zone Launches ‘Start Smart’ with 1,400 Free School-Ready Backpacks for Young People
Wigan Youth Zone is kicking off the new academic year with a huge boost for local young people, thanks to a generous donation from The Brick and its Multibank project. A total of 1,400 fully-equipped school backpacks are being distributed free of charge to children, teenagers, and young adults across Wigan.
This initiative forms part of our brand-new Start Smart campaign, created to give young people in our community the right start to the school year—no matter their background or circumstances.
Backpacks Packed with School Essentials
Each backpack contains everything needed to start the term prepared and confident, including:
Notebooks
Lunchboxes
Stationery
Calculators
Storybooks
These school-ready bags are already making a difference, ensuring families have one less financial worry as September approaches.
Keely Dalfen, CEO of The Brick, shared:
“Every child deserves to walk into the classroom feeling like they belong. These backpacks are more than bags; they’re symbols of dignity, opportunity, and community care.”

Partnership Making a Difference in Wigan
The Multibank project, run by The Brick, is a local initiative redistributing surplus household items—such as furniture, hygiene products, and bedding—from businesses to those most in need in the community.
By working together, Wigan Youth Zone and The Brick are tackling financial hardship head-on. Anthony Ashworth-Steen, CEO of Wigan Youth Zone, said:
“Every year, our charity works with over 5,000 young people, at least 2,000 of whom live in areas of deprivation. Last year, we provided 15,000 free meals and facilitated 29,000 free visits to the Youth Zone. Partnering with The Brick to deliver these backpacks will be welcome news to more than a thousand young people and their families.”

How to Get Your Free Backpack
Backpacks are being distributed across all Wigan Youth Zone provisions, including:
Seniors
Juniors
Holiday Clubs
Community Outreach
You don’t need to be a Youth Zone member to collect one. If you know a young person—whether they’re starting primary school, high school, college, or university—please help spread the word so they can start the year ready for success.
One local mum, Emma, told us:
“I’m proper made up with the backpacks, they’ve got everything the kids need for school. Angel said she’s gonna use hers for football, and Jenson, he’s 10, said, ‘I got to pick the colour and I’m gonna use it for Year 6.’ It’s a big help, especially with four of them to get sorted.”

More Than Just Backpacks: Summer Support
This summer, Wigan Youth Zone is also offering free meals and free entry for all members, ensuring that no young person goes hungry or feels isolated during the holidays.
We believe every child deserves equal opportunities, and through projects like Start Smart, we’re helping to create brighter futures for Wigan’s young people.
Want to Support a Charity in Wigan?
If you’re looking to support a charity Wigan can be proud of, we’d love to have you with us.
There are so many ways to get involved:
👉 Donate or fundraise for Wigan Youth Zone
👉 Partner with us
👉 Volunteer your time
Every bit of support goes directly into supporting local young people.
Get Involved
If you or someone you know could benefit from our free school backpacks, contact Wigan Youth Zone:
📞 Call reception on 01942 612061
💬 Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram
🌐 Visit our website: www.wiganyouthzone.org
Together, we can make sure every young person in Wigan start smart this school year.
Check out what we are up to this summer with TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@wigan.youth.zone