Born in the UK

Opening Doors to Great Futures

Born in the UK

Salford Lads and Girls Club Young People Meet Bruce Springsteen Thanks to Global Youth Partnership.

A group of young people from Salford Lads and Girls Club and Your Music CIC experienced the night of a lifetime this weekend when they met global music Legend Bruce Springsteen at his Co-Op Live arena show in Manchester. Many of the young people attending their first live concert.

The incredible opportunity arose from the partnership between the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs and World Youth Clubs, which are collaborating to connect youth organisations worldwide and provide life-changing cultural experiences for young people.

For some young people who attended, music is a massive part of their lives, but the cost of live events can often be a significant barrier. Thanks to this partnership, they were gifted tickets, backstage access, and even a chance to meet Bruce himself.

As part of the visit, one of the club’s members, 15-year-old singer-songwriter John Denton, had the opportunity to give Bruce a World Youth Clubs and Salford Lads Club T-Shirt along with a demo copy of some of his music.

Laura Slingsby, CEO of Salford Lads said:

Watching the faces of the young people as the night unfolded was pure magic. From the size of the venue to the noise of the crowd, it was a new experience for many of them. One they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. We’re so grateful to World Youth Clubs and the National Association of Boys and Girls Club for making it happen. Bruce was so lovely and spent his time chatting with the young people and answering some of the questions they had about his musical history. This is exactly what great work looks like. Creating the kind of moments that change lives, open doors, and let young people dream bigger.’

Andy Hamill, National Director of National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs:

More than anything else this was the most wonderful of experiences for the young people taking part. It is the experience of a lifetime, that will be both memorable and inspirational as well as potentially life changing for these young people.

It also demonstrates the power of well-established relationships between local, national and global partners to create life enhancing and life changing opportunities for young people.

Our thanks must be expressed to World Youth Clubs founders Rick and Susan Goings who set this opportunity in motion and made it happen. Also, thanks to Patti Springsteen who arranged the backstage passes, some wonderful gifts and finally to Bruce Springsteen himself, who met with everyone a mere 30-minutes before taking to the stage.

This special night marks the start of a growing partnership between Salford Lads and Girls Club, Your Music CIC, World Youth Clubs and the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs, with plans in motion to explore how music, creativity and international exchange can inspire and empower more young people in Salford and beyond.