Izzy Russell

Behind every successful initiative lies a dedicated individual, and Izzy Russell's story is one that showcases her unwavering passion and commitment to creating positive change in young people's lives and futures.

At just 16 years old, Izzy was part of the National Citizen Service (NCS) program, where she saw a presentation about a proposed youth zone in Grimsby. Her initial skepticism about the idea eventually gave way to enthusiasm as she took on the role of developing the branding and strap line for the project.

"I got involved back in 2019 when I was just 16," Izzy recalled. "It was my first summer working at NCS, but what really caught my attention was a presentation from the Horizon youth zone proposal team at McDonalds. We were given free meals, and that was one of the only reasons I went – little did I know it would be stepping into something that would shape my future and career."

As she delved deeper into her role, Izzy discovered her true passion lay in developing a brand and strap line for the Horizon youth zone. "We were given an apprenticeship with The Rank Foundation to work onside for 1 year," she explained. "I was thrilled to be part of this opportunity, which eventually led to me spending 2.5 years working with them."

Izzy's dedication paid off when she broke free from her corporate job and joined Onside, a charity that empowers young people to reach their full potential. She spent two years working at Onside, during which time she developed invaluable skills and gained experience in the youth sector.

One of her proudest moments was when Horizon secured funding for an exchange trip with an American youth group, which not only gave her a life-changing experience but also created lasting friendships and memories. "It was breathtaking to hear that we had been given funding for so many trips," she said. "We were able to give young people the opportunity to explore new cultures and make lifelong friends."

Izzy's passion for Horizon Youth Zone knows no bounds, and her dedication extends far beyond her role as a youth worker. As she prepares to launch Horizon after five years of tireless work, Izzy is confident that this project will be the "beating heart" of the community.

"I'm excited to see the doors open and watch young people bounce around with laughter," she said with a smile. "I've seen firsthand the impact this youth zone has had on communities across the country, and I truly believe Horizon is going to make a difference in Grimsby just as much."

For Izzy Russell, there's no doubt that her journey at Horizon Youth Zone will be one of purpose and fulfilment. As she looks to the future, she remains committed to using all her experiences to help guide the next generation of young people.

"I'm happy on the youth work train and focus my next 5 years on climbing the youth work ladder," Izzy said with a sense of determination. "I'm proud of what I've achieved so far, but I know there's still more to come."