Nottingham charity teams up with Motorpoint Arena in new partnership

A Nottingham charity supporting at-risk youths has announced a new partnership with Motorpoint Arena.

Switch Up, which mentors young people to help steer them away from crime, has become an official charity partner of the entertainment venue as they aim to raise £550,000 for new premises.

Motorpoint Arena now offers an option for customers to donate to Switch Up when booking tickets online.

The fundraising effort follows support from long-time patrons Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who helped launch the campaign for new facilities, as Switch Up’s current building no longer meets its needs.

Switch Up hopes to raise £550,000 through donations, business support, and grants, which would unlock an additional £1.6m in funding from the construction industry for their new facility.

Founded by Marcellus Baz, the charity provides a safe space and support for young people struggling with issues like low confidence, mental health challenges, or violence.

Dr Marcellus Baz BEM, founder of Switch Up, said: “This partnership with Motorpoint Arena is a real game changer for us. The support and generosity of the Arena and its visitors will enable us to reach our fundraising goals and secure a new space where we can continue our vital work with young people in Nottingham. This is more than just a partnership; it’s a powerful collaboration that will allow us to make an even greater impact in our community, transforming lives and offering hope to those who need it most. We are excited about the future and incredibly thankful for this opportunity.”

Martin Ingham, CEO of Motorpoint Arena, said: “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re thrilled to support Switch Up, an incredible local charity making a profound impact on Nottingham’s young people. Their commitment to the community aligns perfectly with our values and given our location in the city, we have a unique opportunity to give back and create a positive change to those on our doorstep.

“Over the last 24 years, we’ve delivered many initiatives to ensure our local communities can access our facilities and the benefits that brings. We’re delighted to take this next step and would like to encourage everyone to support this local charity which is very much aligned with our own commitment to improving young lives.”