We're 20!
Two decades ago, N‑Gage began with a simple belief: no young person should ever feel written off.
In 2006, we started as a small, determined effort to reach those who were disengaged, excluded, or unheard. Today, twenty years on, that belief has grown into a movement that has touched thousands of lives across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Over the past 20 years we have:
- Supported young people at risk of exclusion to re‑engage with education
- Worked alongside schools, families, and multiple Greater Manchester agencies to reduce anti‑social behaviour and other youth-related issues
- Built programmes like Catalyst, Elevate, Transform, and Revolution that give young people purpose, skills, and hope
- Created safe spaces like mobile youth vehicles and our youth centre where young people can be heard, valued, and empowered
None of this has been achieved alone. Our staff, volunteers, partners, funders, and the communities we serve have stood with us through every challenge and every breakthrough. To each of you: thank you. Your belief has fuelled our mission.
As we look to the next 20 years, our commitment remains the same: to champion young people, to challenge the barriers they face, and to ensure that every young person, no matter their story, knows they matter.
The world has changed, but the need for hope, connection, and opportunity has not. Together, we will continue to stand in the gap, speak up for the unheard, and help young people write new futures filled with possibility.
Here’s to the next chapter, and to every young person whose story is still being written.
If you would like to help out by donating, please visit our JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/n-gage20th
Or check out our Events and Fundraising page to see how you can get involved this year!
Our mission is simple
Helping young people reach their full potential
About N-Gage
N-Gage is a Manchester-based charity that gives young people at risk of educational or social exclusion opportunities and skills to achieve their full potential.
Working in partnership with schools, Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council, and other partners we provide highly successful, flexible, and targeted approaches to anti-social behaviour and educational exclusion.
N-Gage was founded by Christie Spurling MBE, FRSA in 2006 in response to his own experiences of educational exclusion.
He is a believer in being part of the solution and all the programmes he has set up for N-Gage try to look at young people as a whole person.
If young people are causing problems in school, it is likely that they may also be creating challenges outside of school.
He is committed to encouraging all young people to be an active and positive part of their community, in school and out.
N-Gage has a growing team of passionate staff and volunteers who combine creative skills and a commitment to young people with a range of projects and programmes across Greater Manchester.
What we do
How we help
Community focused
We empower children and young individuals to actively engage with their local community and effect positive change. These projects are led by the children and young people themselves, allowing them to shape and execute initiatives aligned with their community’s needs and their own aspirations.
School initiatives & mentorship
With over 17 years of experience, N-Gage has been a pioneering force in schools. Our journey began as a response to the pressing issue of educational exclusion. At the core of our mission is the commitment to engage with students who are disenchanted with education and at risk of exclusion.
Family support
We offer individualised support aimed at addressing specific issues, which can encompass the risk of criminality and strains within family relationships. Our comprehensive approach involves regular engagement with the young person and extends to providing support for their family.