OnSide

Young people across the UK today face unprecedented challenges. As the long-term implications of the pandemic continue to unfold, the cost of living crisis is hitting millions of families across the country. 1 in 5 children report a mental health problem and the happiness and confidence of 16-25 year olds is at its lowest point in 13 years. Young people need support from trusted adults more than ever before, and youth work has never been more crucial.

OnSide is a growing, national youth charity working to give all young people access to opportunities, activities and support from dedicated youth workers. To achieve this, we develop Youth Zones, state-of-the-art spaces for young people in some of the country’s most economically disadvantaged communities. There are currently 14 Youth Zones in the OnSide Network, vibrant independent local charities which support over 50,000 young people every year. Our vital work over the last 12 months has seen us grow our Network with the opening of the fourteenth Youth Zone, and provide thousands of young people with free hot meals at their local Youth Zone to ease the financial burden on their families.