L&Q funds London’s first ‘Youth Zones’

Housing association L&Q is helping to build a brighter future for London’s young people by pledging to support two brand-new Onside Youth Zones in Barking and Dagenham and Croydon.

Future Youth Zone and Legacy Youth Zone are being developed by national charity OnSide, which has opened a network of ten Youth Zones across the North West and Midlands.

With funding from L&Q, the Youth Zones will open next year, giving young people between eight and 19 (and up to 25 with additional needs) somewhere safe and affordable to go with many inspiring activities on offer and a team of dedicated youth workers, staff and volunteers.

Facilities and activities include sports in the four-court Sports Hall, gym, martial arts room and 3G kick pitch, music, art, drama, cookery, a giant climbing wall, enterprise and employability opportunities and much more.

Over £6million was raised for the construction of each building and OnSide is now focused on raising funds to ensure that the Youth Zones have the first three years’ revenue funding in place before they open.

Matt Corbett, Director of the L&Q Foundation said: “We are delighted to support these Youth Zones opening in our local communities, giving young people the opportunity to learn and grow in a fun nurturing environment.

The L&Q Foundation is committed to investing in projects like this and its through partnerships with likeminded organisations like Onside that we are able to deliver greater charitable outcomes for our residents and the local community.”

OnSide’s Project Director Jamie Masraff said: “This fantastic contribution will help change the lives of young people right across London. Our Founder Patrons are so important as they contribute to the day-to-day running costs of our Youth Zones and without them, we simply would not be able to open our doors so we want to say a huge thank-you to L&Q for this wonderful investment.”