The OnSide Network
OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway will be part of a national network of Youth Zones developed by national youth charity OnSide.
All the Youth Zones nationwide have been through the same stages of development as we have.
This gives OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway the unique opportunity to team their own local experience and knowledge with the expertise of other youth organisations elsewhere in the country, who face similar challenges and issues.
OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway joins the OnSide network which includes Youth Zones in Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan, Carlisle, Manchester, Oldham, Wolverhampton, Wirral, Chorley, Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Croydon, East Manchester, Warrington and Hammersmith and Fulham.
What makes OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway?
As an OnSide Youth Zone, Thames Gateway Youth Zone will be built on the following foundations:
- A private sector-led board, heading up an independent local charity
- A sustainable funding model
- A four-way partnership between the private sector, local authority, young people and the community
- A functional, inspirational building design based on how young people engage, socialise and participate
Tried and Tested model
The Youth Zone model is based on the successful Bolton Lads and Girls Club, which was established in 1889.
Over the last 12 years, OnSide has set about replicating the success of Bolton Lads and Girls Club in other towns and cities across the country, bringing together the public and private sectors to develop strong local partnerships, executive teams and to manage the build prior to handing over completely to each of the independent Youth Zones.
