Why We’re Here

There’s a problem in our inner city communities. People live in fear of anti-social behaviour and intimidation from street gangs. Our homes and community spaces are victims to wanton vandalism and criminal damage. Children’s play areas are used as arenas for alcohol and drug abuse.

Aimless, bored and disaffected young people are so often part of the problem. But we believe that young people aren’t just a problem in need of a solution. They can be the solution.

Over twenty years working with young people across Greater Manchester has shown us that our city’s young people are entrepreneurial, problem-solving, ambitious, driven, and of limitless potential. But only when we first break the cycle of hopelessness that keeps them down.

‘Successive governments have tried and failed to achieve what The Message is doing locally’ – Manchester Evening News, July 20, 2008

In schools, prisons and long-term community projects and working with police, schools, local authorities and churches who share our aims, we give value and respect back to young people, instilling a sense of belonging and creating new opportunities for work, education and training.

We work long-term, year-round, filling the gaps often left by traditional educational and youth work systems. Many of our people choose to live on deprived estates, electing to share the problems faced by the young people there.

We are unashamed about our motivation – the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our faith is our reason why. But we work with people of all faiths or none to achieve the transformation we all seek.

From among the most hopeless and the most broken we are raising up leaders, change agents, activists, contributors, taxpayers, mothers and fathers.

The Message Trust has proved that it pays to put faith in young people.