With just 9% of young people in the South East feeling very positive about their future, and we are looking to make a different in Thurrock.
In 2027, OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway opens in the heart of Tilbury, a dedicated space where young people can build skills, confidence, and find opportunities they need to lead fulfilling lives.
Our national partner OnSide has published its latest Generation Isolation findings, confirming the challenges faced by young people across the country, and highlighting the difference that could be made locally in Thurrock. Findings show the impact of youth clubs:
- 58% of young people who attend feel prepared for adult life, compared to 37% who don’t.
- Just 11% of young people in the South East actually attend a youth club.
- 94% of young people attending a youth club has said it had a positive impact on their life.
Bethanie Cundy, OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway CEO, said: “Generation Isolation has highlighted the importance of what we are bringing to Thurrock. It is heartbreaking that so few young people are feeling optimistic about their future, and we believe they deserve much better.
“We want OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway to be a safe space for young people to spend quality time with friends, outstanding youth workers, and find passions to make them more positive about their future and feel prepared for adult life. Building our Youth Zone is all about collaboration and building partnerships across Thurrock to ensure we give our young people the best experiences and opportunities possible. If you would like to talk more about how you can make a different, please get in touch with our team.”
While the standout finding is how little positivity and unprepared young people feel about their future, with cost of living and lack of life skills being a key contributing factor, Generation Isolation also finds that 77% of young people in the South East spend majority of their spare time in front of a screen.
Specifically in Thurrock, we see that GCSE attainment is 5% lower than the national average {Thurrock Council – Educational Attainment Data Report}, and only 34.5% of young people (5-16 year olds) in Thurrock are defined as physically active, compared to a national average of 47.8% {Brighter Futures Children’s Partnership Strategy 2026-28}.
Ahead of Alan Milburn’s report setting out solutions to the UK’s NEET crisis, with nearly one million 16–24-year-olds not in education, employment or training, OnSide is calling for youth workers to be given greater recognition and funding as the trusted adults that young people are crying out for. Moreover, OnSide is calling for every young person to be given access to safe, affordable spaces offering real-life activities and support from trusted adults, giving them the confidence and self-belief needed to thrive as adults.
Riley, 17, a member of OnSide’s Youth Advisory Board, said: “We’re not taught what being an adult is or about some of the things we need to be an adult – we’re left to figure it out ourselves. Young people need more support that teaches them the fundamentals of life, whether that’s at college, school or a youth centre. Young people are growing up oblivious in certain areas.”
Members of the OnSide Thames Gateway Youth People’s Development Group said: “The Youth Zone can create a safe environment and a place where all types of people can meet up and socialise. We will also have a wonderful bunch of staff available for our young people to talk to.
“But the main outcome is finding new interest, skills and confidence. It’s brilliant that young people like us are able to get involved in constructing other young people’s futures. We want to say a huge thank you to all those who have invested in our Youth Zone already, it means an insane amount to us that you care so much about our project and the young people in our communities.”
OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway will be home to a team of trusted youth workers offering a range of activities, including climbing, fitness, music production, creative arts and more, as well as access to affordable hot meals all under one roof.
We are calling on local businesses and organisations across Thurrock to help bring our vision to life. If you would like to find out how you can support, please visit the Support Us or Get Involved pages on their website.
You can follow on their journey to opening in 2027 on LinkedIn, and Instagram. You can also read the full Generation Isolation 2026 report here.